On 14 July 2026, Rajiv Shah presented at “Physics in the Pub,” organised by Phil Dooley and sponsored by the Australian Institute of Physics.
It was a return to a challenge first set a few months earlier by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Brendan Dowling – a lightning talk busting quantum myths. That first version covered 10 myths in 10 minutes; this time it was 8 myths in 8 minutes.
The short version: quantum computers won’t revolutionise AI, are likely still several years away, and won’t “melt the internet” – but they will pose a threat to some of the encryption underpinning today’s cybersecurity. That means the priority now is working out what’s at risk and what needs upgrading to quantum-resistant alternatives. Rather than getting distracted by quantum random number generators or quantum key distribution, organisations should be looking at Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) – different mathematics that can run today, on today’s computers.
Thanks to everyone who came along, listened politely, laughed at the jokes, and even complimented the pictures in the presentation.
