The long-debated question in the crypto world is “are quantum computers an existential threat to blockchains?” The question has become more current recently. Experts now point out that artificial intelligence is accelerating this process and causing digital security to be fundamentally questioned.
The intersection of quantum and artificial intelligence
Both those working in the field of post-quantum cryptography and experts researching blockchain security state that the security environment is changing very rapidly. While artificial intelligence is a new attack tool for attackers, it can also be used for defensive purposes for developers. Moreover, it also plays an accelerator role in quantum computer research.
Major technology companies and researchers are warning that quantum computers, which could be disruptive in terms of cryptography, may appear sooner than expected. Artificial intelligence is shown as the main element that can significantly accelerate the development of this type of computers.
“The security landscape of the future will certainly be different than it is today. We predict that the combination of AI and quantum will force us to rethink the usual ways of dealing with security,” said Alex Pruden, CEO of Project Eleven.
Researchers state that machine learning systems provide increased efficiency, especially in solving technical problems such as correcting quantum errors.
“Collect now, decode later”: New threats and data collection strategies
Experts are of the opinion that the quantum computer threat is no longer just theoretical. It is stated that especially states and powerful actors have been collecting encrypted internet traffic since today and aiming to decipher this information in the future thanks to advanced quantum computers. This strategy is called the “collect now, solve later” approach.
In the crypto world, the main concern is that blockchains rely heavily on elliptic curve cryptography. If a sufficiently powerful quantum computer is developed, attackers could use public keys to obtain private keys and take over wallets.
Mini dictionary: Post-quantum cryptography is a new generation of encryption algorithms designed in a way that classical computers and future quantum computers cannot break.
Artificial intelligence is both an offensive and defensive tool
Artificial intelligence models can detect software vulnerabilities and application errors much more effectively than in previous years. Some experts predict that cyber attacks will increase in the coming period with the ability of artificial intelligence to both find vulnerabilities and directly decrypt passwords.
“More attacks are likely to emerge thanks to artificial intelligence. These models can find weaknesses both in the underlying cryptography codes and at the application level,” says Alex Pruden.
On the other hand, developers make maximum use of artificial intelligence in processes such as code auditing, testing and official verification. It is stated that especially in post-quantum systems, artificial intelligence makes things much faster and more effective in mathematical approval processes.
Search for a new era in blockchain networks
It is emphasized by many researchers that security can no longer be viewed as “a fixed structure that does not change over the years”. Platforms such as Ethereum, Zcash, Solana, Ripple and NEAR are working intensively on post-quantum transition strategies.
The NEAR team recently announced that it will integrate post-quantum encryption into the platform’s account structure. Thus, it is aimed that users can update some cryptographic methods without the need to change wallets. Illia Polosukhin, one of the founders of NEAR, states that classical encryption methods may need to be renewed at short intervals in the future.
“Current post-quantum encryption systems are large in size and quite slow by current standards,” Polosukhin evaluates.
| Blockchain Network | Post-quantum Step | Passage Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | Prototypes in the research phase | High |
| NEAR | Direct account integration plans | Middle |
| Zcash | In the development and testing process | High |
| solana | Experimental solutions | High |
Experts emphasize that encryption is no longer a structure that provides long-term security, and that both artificial intelligence and quantum have started a constantly improving security race. Accordingly, security is now expected to become a process open to constant updating and adaptation.
