Inside Quantum Technology - Get The Latest Quantum News & Events Here

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP ARTICLE

AI Meets Quantum: Building Unbreakable Post-Quantum Security

By Carlos Moreira, CEO of SEALSQ

As we edge closer to a new era where artificial intelligence and quantum computing converge, I find myself both thrilled and deeply concerned about the implications. At SEALSQ, we’ve dedicated years to advancing semiconductor security, and it’s with this backdrop that I’m honored to deliver the opening keynote at the IQT Quantum + AI Summit in New York City, scheduled for October 19-21, 2025. My talk, “AI Meets Quantum: Building Unbreakable Post-Quantum Security,” will explore this dynamic intersection—an unprecedented opportunity for innovation alongside a profound cryptographic risk that we can’t afford to ignore.

The synergy between quantum and AI is nothing short of transformative. Quantum computing could accelerate AI models to unprecedented speeds, enabling new optimizations that solve complex problems in seconds rather than days. Imagine simulations of molecular interactions that revolutionize drug discovery or climate modeling that predicts environmental shifts with pinpoint accuracy. Discoveries in materials science could lead to breakthroughs in energy storage or superconductors. These aren’t distant dreams; they’re within reach as quantum hardware evolves. But here’s the flip side: this power threatens the foundations of our current security systems. Classical cryptographic roots like RSA and ECC are under siege from quantum algorithms such as Shor’s, which could factor large numbers exponentially faster. We’re already facing “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, where adversaries collect encrypted data today, biding their time until quantum tech matures. And what about cryptocurrencies? Their reliance on elliptic curve cryptography puts them squarely at risk if we don’t adapt swiftly.

Reports are mounting about progress in quantum tech—higher qubit counts, improved error rates, and scalable hardware backed by massive global investments in R&D. “Q-Day,” the moment when quantum computers break classical public-key cryptography, remains a technical hurdle, but it’s drawing nearer, especially for well-resourced actors like nation-states or large corporations. I’ve seen firsthand how these advancements are accelerating; just last year, we witnessed leaps in quantum error correction that bring stable, large-scale systems closer to reality. This isn’t alarmism—it’s a call to prepare.

In this quantum era, security isn’t just an add-on; it’s the cornerstone for trust, innovation, and adoption. AI agents and autonomous systems require trusted identities and safe communication channels to function reliably. Without them, they become vulnerabilities rather than assets. Consider IoT devices, satellites, and critical infrastructure: if their root cryptographic primitives fail under quantum assault, the consequences could be catastrophic—disrupted supply chains, compromised national security, or exposed personal data. Long-lived information, such as medical histories, governmental records, or defense strategies, must endure Q-Day unscathed. I’ve often reflected on how, in my career spanning cybersecurity and semiconductors, the lessons from past breaches underscore this: proactive defense is always cheaper than reactive recovery.

Thankfully, global regulations are stepping up to the challenge, providing a much-needed framework. NIST’s post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards, now codified in FIPS 203 (ML-KEM for encryption), 204 (ML-DSA for signatures), and 205 (SPHINCS+ for hashing), offer robust alternatives to vulnerable algorithms. In the U.S., CNSA 2.0 mandates PQC for National Security Systems, while Executive Order 14144, with its recent amendments, establishes timelines for PQC integration across various product categories. Across the Atlantic, the EU’s roadmap requires member states to initiate PQC transitions by the end of 2026, with critical infrastructure fully compliant by 2030. These mandates are a positive force, pushing industries toward resilience, but they also highlight the urgency—compliance isn’t optional; it’s imperative for survival in a quantum world.

Yet, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Implementing PQC securely demands vigilance against side-channel attacks, tampering, and firmware vulnerabilities that could undermine even the strongest algorithms. Performance and power constraints are particularly acute in constrained devices, like edge sensors in smart cities or remote IoT nodes, where every milliwatt counts. Achieving interoperability across diverse global regulations, standards, and a vast spectrum of devices adds layers of complexity. Supply chain security and hardware provenance are critical, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions that could introduce backdoors. And perhaps most pressing: gaining visibility into harvest-now risks within existing data flows to prioritize protections

This is why we need collective action now. Start with auditing and inventorying cryptographic usage—identify where RSA, ECC, or ECDSA lurk, particularly in long-lived devices and sensitive data. Support research and tooling to harden implementations, focusing on side-channel resistance, comprehensive testing, and automated verification. Plan migration paths using hybrid PQC-classical approaches, leveraging hardware that’s ready for firmware updates to ensure flexibility. Engage in standards and regulatory dialogues to harmonize timelines and requirements, avoiding a fragmented landscape. And crucially, invest in secure hardware roots of trust (RoT) and PKI frameworks with built-in PQC support to anchor your systems.

At SEALSQ, we’re turning these principles into practice through our four pillars of action. First, securing devices at the edge with quantum-resistant chips. Second, establishing RoT and PQC root certificate infrastructure via PKI. Third, enabling secure communications for IoT, satellites, personalization, and supply chain integrity. Fourth, providing trusted identities and secure transactions for AI agents, granting them autonomy while ensuring accountability.

Central to this is our Quantum Shield QS7001, poised to be the industry’s first secure chip running PQC at the hardware level. Launching mid-November 2025, it natively executes NIST’s ML-KEM and ML-DSA on a RISC-V platform, certified CC EAL5+, delivering superior security and up to 10x faster performance than software alternatives. Its hybrid migration framework eases the transition, and the open hardware design offers unparalleled flexibility, with a TPM version arriving in H1 2026.

• Positioned to be the world’s first secure hardware platform to run quantum NIST selected quantum resistant algorithms at hardware level

This chip powers our post-quantum stack: WISeKey’s Quantum RoT, INeS PKI for device provisioning, and OSPT centers for field deployments. We’re enabling encrypted PQC data across secure edge devices, gateways, routers, and satellite connectivity, with over-the-air or factory provisioning to thwart backdoors and tampering. For AI agents, it’s about creating identities that balance freedom with trust.

We’re making strides already: QS7001 dev kits available November 2025, discussions with major U.S. semiconductor and electronics firms for compliance using our PQC chips and services, our first personalization center operational in Spain, and SEALCOIN PoCs alongside satellite launches integrating PQC for secure space comms.

The roadmap ahead includes QVault TPM versions for gateways, PCs, mobiles, tablets, and IoT; custom ASICs for automotive, healthcare, and Industry 4.0; hardware design IPs for the semiconductor sector; and expanded satellite and OSPT activities.

Envision a future where all critical communications and identities are quantum-resistant: AI agents, devices, and satellites operating on PQC-backed frameworks with cryptographic agility for ongoing evolution. Transparency in supply chains and global regulatory compliance become the norm.

Let’s collaborate to realize this. I’m inviting semiconductor partners for FPGAs, chiplets, and design alliances; industries for pilot programs and compliance roadmaps; and academia, researchers, and regulators to contribute their expertise.

Join me at the IQT Quantum + AI Summit this October to discuss these ideas further. In the interim, explore our solutions at sealsq.com. The quantum-AI future is here—let’s secure it together.

Carlos Moreira is the CEO of SEALSQ, pioneering post-quantum semiconductors and trust services