AI Cryptanalysis Could Transform Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards

Cryptographer Matthew Green observes that the current transition from traditional public-key algorithms (EC-based cryptography and RSA) to post-quantum algorithms based on novel problems creates an ideal moment for AI-driven cryptanalysis. He notes that numerous standards like HAWK are under consideration, and a massive new public cryptanalysis capability could provide real confidence in the identified hard problems. Green suggests that unless AI undermines all hard problems or we live in Impagliazzo's Minicrypt, this is a perfect time for AI to excel at cryptanalysis, potentially making the cryptanalysis literature more robust. His comments were made in response to Anthropic's recent cryptography work, as quoted by Simon Willison on 29th July 2026.