Researchers from JPMorganChase, Quantinuum, UT Austin, and the Argonne and Oak Ridge national laboratories, wrote a paper in Nature. They used a quantum computer with 56 qubits to make certified random numbers. Random numbers are unpredictable digits needed for things like secret codes in cryptography.

Regular computers can’t make truly random numbers alone. They need extra hardware, which enemies could trick.

The quantum computer, called H2, uses trapped ions. Researchers sent it tough challenges over the internet. These challenges stump even the best regular supercomputers. The quantum computer picked answers randomly from many options. Then, they used supercomputers to check the randomness. They proved the numbers were real and fresh, not fake. This method makes it impossible for enemies to cheat, even if they control the quantum computer.

Why this matters

Scott Aaronson introduced this idea in 2018, notes a press release issued by UT Austin. “When I first proposed my certified randomness protocol in 2018, I had no idea how long I’d need to wait to see an experimental demonstration of it,” says Aaronson. “Building upon the original protocol and realizing it is a first step toward using quantum computers to generate certified random bits for actual cryptographic applications.”

On his website, Aaronson comments on this news and gives more in-depth explanations of the background.

The H2 quantum computer got better in June 2024. It handles tasks 100 times better than before. This shows quantum advantage, meaning it beats regular computers at some jobs. The result helps cryptography, fairness, and privacy. Fairness means unbiased choices, like in games. Privacy keeps data secret.

Experts say this is a big deal. It’s the first practical use of quantum power beyond regular computers. The method, called random circuit sampling, picks random paths in calculations. It’s a step toward real-world tools. Still, you need big machines to run it, not home computers. With this success, quantum computing looks ready to change industries like finance.

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