05. March 2025
Ai Alchemists Uncover Secret To Speed: Cryptography Helps Ai Process Data Faster Than Thought Possible

Researchers have discovered that injecting cryptographic techniques into artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can actually accelerate their processing speed, a counterintuitive finding with significant implications for the field of AI.
Traditionally, encryption methods are designed to protect data from unauthorized access by scrambling it in a way that makes it appear random to malicious actors. However, this same principle can be leveraged to optimize AI models. By applying cryptographic tools to key algorithms, developers can create a new paradigm for accelerating computation without compromising security.
The concept is rooted in the idea of “side-channel attacks,” which exploit weaknesses in an algorithm’s implementation to gain insight into its inner workings. Cryptographers have long studied these vulnerabilities to develop more efficient encryption methods. Now, researchers are adapting this expertise to tailor algorithms for AI models, effectively “tricking” them into working faster.
A groundbreaking study by Or Zamir at Tel Aviv University and Vinod Vaikuntanathan at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) demonstrated the approach. By employing cryptographic techniques to optimize the performance of deep learning models, they achieved significant speed improvements without sacrificing security.
One of the key breakthroughs was the development of “homomorphic encryption,” which allows computations on encrypted data without decrypting it first. This enables AI algorithms to process sensitive information in a way that’s both secure and efficient.
The research has far-reaching implications for various fields, including healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity. As AI models become increasingly ubiquitous, finding ways to improve their performance while maintaining security is crucial. By harnessing the power of cryptography, developers may be able to create more powerful and efficient AI algorithms that can tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges.
Researchers continue to explore the intersection of cryptography and AI, leading to even more innovative solutions. This unexpected collaboration between computer science and mathematics is helping to create faster, more secure, and more powerful AI systems that can address some of the world’s most pressing problems.