Garinei and the encryption challenge: What happens to our data when Quantum Computing becomes a reality?

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On October 22, Alberto Garinei, Scientific Director of K-Digitale and Idea-Re and Head of the Department of Engineering Sciences at Guglielmo Marconi University, spoke at a conference addressing a key question: how can we increase computing power without multiplying its physical and energy costs in an unsustainable way?

AI may seem immaterial. In reality, every model relies on data centers, energy, cooling systems, GPUs and expertise. Quantum computing is part of this very scenario. Alberto Garinei’s talk focused on three key points.

• Where we stand today. Quantum computing is still at an experimental stage, but it is no longer confined to the laboratory. Real-world problems are already being explored, from logistics optimization to materials simulation. What is missing is scale, not the underlying concept. Quantum computing will not replace AI; it will complement it in areas where scaling classical computing requires ever-increasing numbers of GPUs and ever more energy. AI learns from data, while quantum computing explores solution spaces that are too vast for conventional computers.
• When does it make sense to use it? A quantum computer is not simply a “faster” computer, but one that processes information differently. The most promising candidates are problems that are easy to define but involve an enormous number of possible combinations: finding the optimal configuration among billions of alternatives, simulating a molecule or optimizing a network. If a classical algorithm can solve a problem within a reasonable timeframe, quantum computing offers no added value. The real challenge today is identifying these problems and reformulating them in the right language.
• What should businesses be asking themselves? The first question is an uncomfortable one: what will happen to my company on the day quantum computing truly works? A significant part of the cryptography currently protecting data, contracts and AI models could become vulnerable. Before asking how to use this technology, businesses must consider whether they are prepared for its impact. Then comes the positive question: which of my problems could suddenly become solvable? Companies able to answer both questions are already taking a strategic approach.

Special thanks to panel moderator Mariano Gattafoni, Andrea Violetti and Federico Mattei for the engaging and insightful discussion, and to all participants for their questions.

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Last updated: 30/10/2026 11:28