Researchers claim their protocol can create truly random numbers on a current quantum computer

She added, “over the years, there have been issues of poor random number generation that have hampered cryptographic implementations. There are also many reputable random number generation methods available. Using a quantum computer for random number generation is certainly an option, though there may be questions about cost or scalability.” 

Could be used on near-term quantum machines

The authors of the paper, published in Nature, said research shows quantum computers have the potential to solve problems better than classical computing techniques, but the resource requirements of known quantum algorithms for these problems put them far out of reach of quantum machines that exist now or in the near term.

However, the researchers, who were from JPMorganChase, Quantinuum, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Texas at Austin, said their solution shows current and near term gate-based quantum computers can perform at least one practically useful task: Creating truly random numbers.