Ethlabs proposes faster Ethereum quantum upgrade over AI concerns

Ethereum research group Ethlabs has proposed accelerating the blockchain’s transition to quantum-resistant security to 2027, arguing that advances in artificial intelligence could bring new threats to cryptography and network software sooner than expected.

In a November 11 proposal published on the Ethereum Magicians forum, Ethlabs outlined a plan called pqai27, which would prioritize protection against quantum computing and AI-related security risks during Ethereum’s upcoming upgrades.

The group wants developers to reconsider features planned for the Hegotá upgrade and redirect resources toward security improvements. It has already committed to withdrawing its Quick Slots proposal from Hegotá, although the larger 2027 plan still requires agreement among Ethereum’s core developers.

Ethlabs wants Ethereum quantum protection ready by 2027

Ethlabs said Ethereum should prepare for two potential threats: powerful quantum computers capable of breaking existing cryptographic systems and AI models that could discover weaknesses in software.

“Being post-quantum is not enough, we intend on being post-AI too,” the group wrote.

Under its proposal, post-AI security would involve using cryptography that depends on fewer mathematical assumptions while strengthening Ethereum’s software against vulnerabilities discovered by advanced AI models.

The researchers pointed to Google’s goal of completing its transition to post-quantum cryptography by 2029 and changes in US government planning for quantum-related security risks.

They cited recent AI research involving mathematics and software vulnerabilities as reasons to begin the transition sooner.

However, Ethlabs acknowledged that researchers cannot establish when AI might threaten existing cryptography, or whether certain mathematical attacks will ever become possible.

The group argued that uncertainty over those timelines makes early preparation necessary.

Ethereum’s 2027 proposal would move beyond its 2029 roadmap

The Ethereum Foundation’s published roadmap currently targets December 2029 for quantum resistance across the network’s execution, consensus and data layers.

As crypto.news previously reported, the Foundation adopted that deadline while preparing for the possibility of quantum computers threatening existing cryptography around 2030.

The Foundation plans to reassess those risks with outside experts in January 2027.

Ethlabs now wants developers to target an initial level of protection in 2027, followed by additional improvements that would allow Ethereum to maintain full network capacity.

The group calls the first stage pqai-ready. Under that plan, Ethereum’s consensus system would use quantum-resistant cryptography, and users would have a way to secure their accounts against future quantum attacks.

If existing cryptographic protections became vulnerable, the network could continue operating, potentially at reduced capacity.

The second stage, pqai-scaled, would support quantum-resistant transactions and data processing without the same performance limitations. Ethlabs described completing that stage during 2027 as a more ambitious target.

Ethlabs proposes changes to Ethereum’s Hegotá upgrade

Meeting the proposed deadline would require developers to reconsider several features planned for Hegotá, Ethereum’s major upgrade scheduled after Glamsterdam.

One change involves Quick Slots, a proposal intended to reduce the time between Ethereum blocks.

In August, Ethlabs had supported faster Ethereum blocks alongside stronger censorship resistance and improved wallet functionality.

The group now plans to withdraw Quick Slots from Hegotá and redirect its development resources toward quantum security.

“We don’t take this decision lightly,” Ethlabs wrote, explaining that it still supports faster block production and intends to pursue the improvement in 2028.

Another proposal under review is FOCIL, which would make it harder for block producers to exclude valid transactions.

Ethlabs said developers should schedule FOCIL only if the work does not interfere with the proposed quantum-security deadline.

Meanwhile, Frame Transactions, known as EIP-8141, would remain a priority because the feature could help Ethereum accounts adopt alternative signature methods.

The proposed account upgrade would let wallets use more flexible authorization arrangements, including methods designed to resist quantum attacks.

Ethereum developers face decisions over wallets and consensus

The proposed transition would require changes to Ethereum’s consensus system, which validators use to agree on transactions and maintain the blockchain.

Ethlabs identified two possible approaches: modifying Ethereum’s existing Gasper consensus system or adopting a newer design known as decoupled consensus.

The researchers said further work is necessary to determine which approach would be easier to implement.

They identified EIP-8288, which addresses signature aggregation, and EIP-8479, which concerns quantum-resistant data availability, as necessary for achieving the full-capacity target.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has previously supported EIP-8288 as a proposed method for verifying more complex cryptographic signatures efficiently.

Ethlabs proposed giving wallet providers and validator operators tools to migrate to quantum-resistant keys. Wallet improvements could include key rotation, separate recovery permissions and tighter controls over account access.

The group said Glamsterdam should proceed as planned, while developers reconsider the order of subsequent upgrades.

Its proposal calls for reaching initial quantum readiness during 2027 and continuing work on faster transactions, stronger censorship resistance and additional security improvements through 2028.