Artificial intelligence has dramatically expanded beyond traditional computing paradigms, necessitating significant infrastructure and resource investment for its operation.

A promising alternative may be quantum computing, which harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to surpass conventional binary and linear processing. Transitioning AI into a quantum framework might theoretically enhance efficiency while reducing resource consumption.

Despite quantum AI remaining a distant possibility for organizations just starting to integrate generative and agentic AI, early indications suggest that cybercriminals are already exploring advanced forms of artificial intelligence.

Data from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and SAS indicates that most respondents anticipate quantum AI to profoundly affect fraud prevention by 2030. Additionally, approximately 10% report that it is currently influencing operations.

Supercharging the Deepfake Threat

Equally alarming, the study reveals a marked increase in AI usage across various criminal activities, including consumer scams and document forgery. However, deepfake-driven social engineering has seen the most significant growth, with roughly three-quarters of respondents noting an increase over the past two years.

Early deepfakes were easily recognizable but more sophisticated AI models have rendered them a threat that cannot be disregarded. The AI Incident Database substantiates these concerns by documenting over 100 distinct deepfake incidents between November 2025 and January 2026.

A Perilous Situation

The emerging threats are putting immense pressure on modern cybersecurity systems. Financial institutions, in particular—bound by stringent compliance regulations and high customer expectations—are facing a complex and resource-intensive task when implementing new technologies.

This situation is precarious as cybercriminals continue to evolve alongside rapid technological advancements, while many banks struggle to keep pace. According to the ACFE study, only 7% of respondents said their organization was well-prepared to detect or prevent AI-powered fraud.

The potential integration of quantum computing could exacerbate this gap, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.

“We’re nearing a point where quantum computing will compromise encryption,” stated Tracy Goldberg, Director of Cybersecurity at Javelin Strategy & Research. “This highlights the risk associated with current data security methods. Data is tokenized or encrypted for PCI compliance requirements.”

Goldberg continued, “If quantum computing can break this encryption, we’ll be sending card data in the clear, effectively setting us back 20 years. Tokenization will no longer provide protection.”