AI is speeding up the quantum threat to crypto, security experts warn

The article details a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape driven by the convergence of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Security experts, including Alex Pruden of Project Eleven and Illia Polosukhin of NEAR Protocol, emphasize that AI is not just a threat multiplier but also a potential tool for defense. Pruden notes that ‘security, and this is more broadly than just crypto, you simply cannot count on the way you’ve always done things.’ Polosukhin highlights how AI is accelerating quantum computing research through optimization of error correction, a significant hurdle in quantum development. He references his experience at Google, where machine learning systems were already used to discover new materials, suggesting a similar acceleration is now occurring in quantum computing. The article underscores the ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ strategy, where malicious actors could collect encrypted internet traffic anticipating future quantum decryption capabilities. This poses a particularly severe threat to cryptocurrencies, which often rely on the same elliptic curve cryptography as the broader internet. Furthermore, the article discusses the increasing use of AI for defensive purposes, such as code auditing and formal verification, to bolster the security of post-quantum systems. NEAR Protocol’s recent announcement of integrating post-quantum cryptography directly into its account infrastructure exemplifies this proactive approach, allowing users to rotate cryptographic schemes without migrating assets. The core message is that security can no longer be treated as static infrastructure; it requires continuous adaptation and innovation.