Quantum computers have succeeded in generating truly random numbers for the first time using entangled qubits. This is an astonishing capability that even the most powerful supercomputers cannot physically predict.
Researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom conducted an experiment to generate truly random numbers by repurposing existing quantum supremacy experiments on Quantinuum's 56-qubit computer. As a result, completely random numbers were generated that cannot be predicted by any laws of physics.
As cybersecurity threats increase, quantum technology is becoming an essential element for secure electronic communications.
Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantnuum, described this achievement as a "significant milestone that firmly pushes quantum computing into practical and realistic application fields."
A few years ago, computer scientists Scott Aaronson and Shih-Han Hung at the University of Texas at Austin proposed a method for generating truly random numbers based on random circuit sampling. This is a method for testing the performance of devices that extract maximum quantum capabilities from qubits with minimal classical manipulation. "When I first proposed the authenticated random number generation protocol in 2018, I had no idea how long we would have to wait to see it experimentally verified," says Aronson.
"Building upon the original protocol, we have taken the first step toward utilizing quantum computers to generate authenticated random numbers for actual cryptographic applications."
When rolling dice, drawing cards, or thinking about numbers between one and a billion, our actions are a combination of countless rules, each of which is fundamentally reliable and predictable, much like the swing of a pendulum. Even chaotic phenomena, such as wax swirling on the walls of a lava lamp, are theoretically governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
No matter how this complex rule system is revealed, the fact that each rule is predetermined by the laws of physics to yield a single outcome leaves room for patterns that a sufficiently intelligent computer could exploit. This is an undesirable situation, considering that encryption must be impossible or that the Charisma stat of a Half-Elf Paladin character in Dungeons & Dragons must be completely random.
Quantum physics follows a completely different rule system that includes its own random number generators determining the properties of particles. As far as we know, there are no hidden links that a supercomputer could cleverly exploit.
The research team linked the fates of 56 'quantum dice' and used the Aronson-Hung protocol to minimize intervention by classical physics, allowing the Quantum device to solve a series of problems that rely on random selection processes.
To verify that the final results were appropriately random, the researchers validated the results on multiple supercomputers using a standardized benchmark protocol that compares the quantum server's results to theoretical outliers.
The combined performance of computers performing over one million trillion operations per second (1.1 exaflops) demonstrated that this process easily meets benchmark standards for true randomness. This result clearly showed that there are absolutely no loopholes that can be found or deciphered if state-of-the-art supercomputers invest sufficient time.
Generating random bits using quantum uncertainty itself is nothing new. However, by performing this task via the Internet on Quantinuum’s recently upgraded System Model H2 quantum computer, the research team demonstrated that anyone around the world will soon be able to enjoy the ultimate "number pick" game.
"This study applying authenticated quantum randomness not only demonstrates the exceptional performance of our trap ion technology but also sets a new standard for providing robust quantum security and enabling advanced simulations in various industries, such as finance and manufacturing," said Researcher Hazra.
The study was published in Nature.
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