Ethlabs, a nonprofit set up by former Ethereum Foundation researchers, has laid out its vision for an Ethereum post-quantum future and possibly a post-AI one by 2027 under the name pqai27. Released a week after a visit to core developers at Devcon in Mumbai, the paper posits that quantum computing and AI both really narrowed the timeline to ready the network. The case isn’t that Ethereum is vulnerable in the near term. It’s that the timeframe is moving, and stalling might cause an even bigger shock down the line.
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What pqai27 Would Do
Pqai27 has two objectives. The first, pqai-ready, would provide post-quantum consensus and offer every user a post-quantum path for their account as the network ratchets up to scaled capacity at Glamsterdam. If classical cryptography weakened, the network could revert and continue, albeit more sluggishly. Second, pqai-scaled is a stretch goal. It would make post-quantum transactions and post-quantum data availability available at full scale.
Source: devcon.org
For this to be feasible, signature aggregation through EIP-8288 and post-quantum data availability through EIP-8479 would need to be introduced, as post-quantum signatures are larger and more expensive. To get to pqai-ready, Ethlabs suggests rescoping the hard fork following Glamsterdam, Hegota. And since not only is Frames already the execution-layer star, it also makes account validation programmable, helping post-quantum signatures like SPHINCS.
Source: Remitly
But, Ethlabs’ other prescriptive suggestion, FOCIL the consensus-layer censorship-resistance mechanism– would likely be delayed. Ethlabs co-authored FOCIL, but thinks it would hinder pqai-readiness and has other compatibility issues. If it is shelved, the execution layer can update to include Frames on its own.
Also Read: Ethereum Forum Adds Optimism as OP Stack Powers 54 Chains
Why Post-AI Matters Alongside Post-Quantum
Ethlabs calls the goal post-AI, but qualifies it as plausible rather than provable. It has two parts. First, cryptography built on as few assumptions as possible, with hash-based constructions at the center. AI systems are solving long-standing open mathematics problems, and cryptography itself rests on open mathematical questions. Second, hardening clients against frontier models that can discover vulnerabilities at scale.
Ethlabs points to OpenAI reportedly identifying about 1,000 vulnerabilities in Linux with an internal frontier model. Ethereum’s response is formal verification and client diversity. Verification is already embedded in work on zkEVMs and EthLib, while multiple clients mean a bug in one implementation need not halt the network. External timelines reinforce urgency.
Source: PCMag Australia
The United States moved its goal for addressing quantum risk from 2035 to 2030, while Google aims to complete its own post-quantum migration by 2029. Though, the Ethereum Foundation had already pushed its focus from 2029 to 2028.
Also Read: Ethereum Quantum Computers Plan Targets Post-Quantum Security Through 2029
What’s Next for Developers, Users and Institutions?
For developers, pqai27 means trade-offs. Ethlabs has already pulled Quick Slots, its heads-up for quicker blocks, from Hegota and backed its stake into pqai27, with quicker slots scheduled for 2028. Glamsterdam looks set to launch on time. The only open question remains: do core developers pursue Gasper post-quantum, or do they race to decoupled consensusa fully desirable outcome still awaiting finalized specs.
For users and institutions, consequences would come through migration. Wallets would have to be compatible with post-quantum accounts, including key rotation and scoped access. Validators would need to migrate to post-quantum keys. Rollups would be able to fall back to post-quantum call data if blobs are not yet post-quantum.
There is still a proposal a proposal. Core developers have yet to accept it as a roadmap, and rescoping Hegota is a real cost. But pqai27 recontextualizes the conversation from “should Ethereum prepare” to “when should Ethereum prepare.”
Also Read: Ethereum Post-Quantum Transition Targets 2028 – A Hope
Ananthyka J is a market reporter at Tronweekly, reporting on cryptocurrency news. She covers cryptocurrency markets, blockchain technology, and digital asset regulation, focusing on Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, altcoins, and crypto policy. Her reporting emphasizes clear and accurate market coverage, including crypto market movements, regulatory developments, and blockchain adoption. She holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication and an MA in Communication and Media Studies. She has also completed multiple media internships, follows strict editorial and fact-checking standards, and discloses potential conflicts of interest when reporting.
