Quantum Computing’s Promise for Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence has significantly expanded the boundaries of traditional computing models. Operating such advanced systems requires considerable infrastructure and resources, but a promising solution might come from quantum computing. Quantum mechanics’ principles enable this technology to move beyond conventional binary and linear processing, potentially enhancing AI efficiency while utilizing fewer resources.

This shift could be revolutionary, yet it remains distant for organizations just integrating generative and agentic AI. Nonetheless, early signs suggest cybercriminals are already experimenting with next-generation AI technologies. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and SAS, most respondents anticipate quantum AI will greatly impact fraud prevention by 2030. About 10% report that it is currently affecting their operations.

Boosting the Deepfake Threat

The study also reveals a concerning trend: bad actors are intensifying their use of AI across various criminal activities, including consumer scams and document forgery. However, deepfake-driven social engineering has seen the steepest increase, with nearly three-quarters of respondents noting an uptick over the last two years.

Early deepfakes were often easily detectable, but more sophisticated AI models have made them a serious threat that cannot be dismissed. The AI Incident Database supports these concerns by recording over 100 distinct deepfake incidents between November 2025 and January 2026.

A Challenging Situation

These emerging threats are overwhelming modern cybersecurity systems, especially for financial institutions constrained by strict compliance rules and high customer expectations. Implementing new technologies can be complex and resource-intensive, creating a precarious situation where cybercriminals are rapidly evolving alongside advancing tech, while many banks struggle to keep up.

According to the ACFE study, only 7% of respondents believe their organization is well-prepared to detect or prevent AI-powered fraud. With quantum computing potentially entering the picture, this gap could quickly become catastrophic.

We’re nearing a point where quantum computing will break encryption,” Tracy Goldberg, Director of Cybersecurity at Javelin Strategy & Research, told PaymentsJournal. This highlights the risk we face with current data security methods. Data is tokenized or encrypted to comply with standards like PCI. But if quantum computing can break this encryption, card data might be sent in plain text, a setback of 20 years.”

Tokenization will become meaningless,” she concluded.