Ethereum research group Ethlabs has called for the network to reach an initial level of quantum-resistant security by 2027, arguing that advances in artificial intelligence add urgency to the timeline. In a proposal posted on the Ethereum Magicians forum, the group outlined a plan labeled pqai27 that seeks to prepare the chain against both quantum computing threats and potential AI-driven discoveries of software or cryptographic weaknesses.

As part of the shift, Ethlabs said it will withdraw its earlier support for a feature intended to speed up block production in the upcoming Hegotá upgrade. The group previously backed an effort known as Quick Slots that would have cut the network’s slot time from 12 seconds to 10 seconds. It now plans to pursue that performance improvement in 2028 instead, freeing resources for the security work.

Why the Earlier Timeline

Ethereum wallets and validators rely on cryptographic signatures. Public keys appear on the blockchain, creating a theoretical risk that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could derive the corresponding private keys and compromise accounts. The Ethereum Foundation’s current protocol priorities roadmap targets quantum resistance across execution, consensus and data layers by December 2029. Researcher Justin Drake has separately expressed hope of completing a transition by 2028.

Ethlabs contends the schedule should move forward. The group points to Google’s stated goal of finishing its own post-quantum cryptography transition by 2029 and to evolving U.S. government planning around quantum risks. It also cites recent AI research into mathematics and software vulnerabilities as reasons to begin preparations sooner, while acknowledging that no firm date can be set for when such threats might materialize.

Under the pqai27 framework, an initial “pqai-ready” stage in 2027 would make the consensus layer quantum-resistant and give users a practical way to secure their accounts against future attacks. The network could continue operating, potentially at reduced capacity, if existing cryptography became vulnerable. A more ambitious “pqai-scaled” stage would add full-capacity support for quantum-resistant transactions and data handling.

Changes Proposed for Hegotá and Beyond

To meet the accelerated schedule, Ethlabs recommends that Hegotá center on Frame Transactions, a planned account upgrade that would allow more flexible authentication methods, including quantum-resistant signatures, and enable native key rotation. The group views this capability as central to the transition because it would let wallets and users adopt safer signing schemes without waiting for a complete network overhaul.

FOCIL, a censorship-resistance mechanism that would let validators force inclusion of valid transactions, should proceed only if the work does not delay quantum readiness, according to the proposal. Ethlabs said the preceding Glamsterdam upgrade should move forward on its existing schedule.

Additional technical steps identified by the group include potential modifications to the Gasper consensus system or a move toward a decoupled consensus design, along with related improvement proposals covering signature aggregation and quantum-resistant data availability. Wallet providers and validator operators would need tools for key migration, including rotation capabilities and tighter access controls. Even after the protocol changes ship, users would still need to update their software and switch to the new signing methods for full protection.

Status and Next Steps

The proposal remains a recommendation and has not been adopted by Ethereum core developers. The Foundation’s published roadmap continues to list the later 2029 target, though the group notes that internal discussions have already shifted some expectations toward 2028. Ethlabs is asking developers to treat quantum and AI-related uncertainty as a near-term scheduling constraint rather than a longer-horizon concern that can be addressed after performance upgrades.

The change in priority signals that Ethereum’s upgrade sequencing may place greater weight on cryptographic resilience in the coming cycles. Faster block times and additional censorship-resistance work remain on the agenda, but under the Ethlabs view they would follow the initial quantum-readiness milestones rather than precede them.