AI and quantum computing: are we ready for cyber security risks?

Driving the news: recent advancements in AI and quantum computing are setting the stage for unprecedented technological progress. However, the integration of these technologies will require specialised talent and hardware, making widespread adoption unlikely in the next decade.

Key points:

• How quantum computing works: uses quantum bits, or ‘qubits’, and principles like superposition and entanglement to perform complex calculations faster than classical computers.
• AI + quantum computing applications: potential benefits in drug discovery, financial modelling, supply chain optimisation, energy management, and cyber security.
• Risks: cyber security threats, privacy concerns, environmental impact, and potential biases in AI algorithms.
• The big picture: while the combination of AI and quantum computing holds immense promise, it also brings significant risks.

"The potential for negative outcomes demands the implementation of ethical and environmental frameworks to guide applications and ensure that the technology benefits humanity," says, S&P Global Ratings' Lead Cyber Risk Expert, Martin Whitworth.

What’s next: watching for the development of hybrid classical-quantum systems, advancements in quantum machine learning, and enhanced cybersecurity measures. Ethical considerations will be crucial as these technologies evolve.