{
  "id": 261627,
  "title": "Quantum's greatest breakthrough may be trust",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/quantums-greatest-breakthrough-may-be-trust",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-07T10:30:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/pro/quantums-greatest-breakthrough-may-be-trust"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Geneva, the world's largest forum on AI for Good recently gathered to discuss how technology can best serve society. The conversation has now shifted to quantum technology, which has moved from being a distant promise to a growing portfolio of real applications. Quantum and quantum-inspired solutions are being used for simulations in nuclear power, protein design in drug discovery, traffic forecasting in congested cities, and medical imaging. These advancements, emerging as working programs with industrial partners, also raise concerns about their potential to break public-key cryptography that secures much of the modern internet. Up to 80% of the world's digital infrastructure is at risk, jeopardizing the confidentiality of health records and financial transactions. The threat timeline has started long ago with the harvesting of encrypted traffic, a strategy known as \"store now, decrypt later.\" Quantum-safe security, the other half of quantum computing, is crucial and needs to mature simultaneously. Two defenses exist: post-quantum cryptography, which replaces vulnerable algorithms with resistant mathematics, and quantum key distribution, which uses quantum states of light to distribute encryption keys. Both solutions have their roles in protecting tomorrow's networks. New post-quantum standards have been finalized, and quantum-secured networks are already operational in places like Abu Dhabi. The key lesson is that migration to quantum-safe security takes years, emphasizing the need to start before the threat matures, not after. A growing number of nations are choosing to build quantum technology internally, fostering depth of capability and contributing to the global commons. The field requires open tools, interoperable standards, and honest engagement with risks to ensure that the digital world remains deserving of trust in the quantum era.",
  "summary": "Quantum's first public good may be protecting the digital world it is about to transform.",
  "key_points": [
    "Quantum technology moves from promise to real applications",
    "Risks to 80% of digital infrastructure from breaking cryptography",
    "Quantum-safe security and post-quantum standards needed for trust"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}