Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stated that artificial intelligence could potentially break current encryption methods within the next two years. He suggests that AI-driven mathematical advancements might accelerate progress by 50 years in just two years, threatening existing cryptographic standards.
The warning follows a proposal by Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake, who urged the industry to adopt a 'bunker mode' strategy. This involves moving funds to addresses where public keys remain unexposed to mitigate risks from both AI and future quantum computing threats.
Buterin noted that lattice-based cryptography, often considered a solution for quantum-proofing, might also be vulnerable to AI-accelerated mathematical breakthroughs. He now suggests that hash-based cryptography could be a more secure alternative, though he acknowledges that AI could theoretically impact those as well.
Industry experts, including Ananda Banerjee of Charlie Quant Lab, advise against panic-driven fund transfers. While acknowledging the need for caution, they emphasize that current systems have not yet been compromised and suggest a measured approach to security upgrades rather than immediate action.
Buterin recommends keeping assets in addresses that have not yet performed transactions to prevent public key exposure. This shift in perspective marks a change from his comments a month ago, when he expressed confidence that security defenses would keep pace with AI development.
