- Ethereum Foundation has launched the better.codes challenge to enhance the cryptographic security of SNARK systems used in zk-rollups and post-quantum infrastructure.
- AI agents will compete to prove the mathematical security of a cryptographic task, aiming to increase its proven security boundary to 128 bits.
- The initiative encourages collaboration and innovation by allowing participants to use their own AI models, with verified results being shared publicly.
- This competition aligns with Ethereum’s broader efforts towards post-quantum cryptography advancements.
Introduction
The Ethereum Foundation has unveiled an intriguing new competition, titled better.codes, aimed at bolstering the cryptographic robustness of Ethereum’s infrastructure. In this ambitious project, AI agents are set to compete in enhancing the mathematically proven security of a specific cryptographic task known as koalaIRS12. This initiative seeks to push the boundaries of security proof up to 128 bits, thereby strengthening SNARK systems crucial for technologies like zk-rollups and post-quantum solutions.
The Essence of better.codes
The core challenge within this contest originates from the research dubbed Proximity Prize, which is associated with Reed-Solomon codes. By formalizing it fully in Lean—a proof assistant—the competition lays out a public benchmark for participants. The main objective for these AI agents is simple: extend the correctness boundaries of this cryptographic task, effectively enhancing its reliability.
Mechanics and Participation
Participants are invited to apply their own AI models alongside various management tools pertinent to agent systems within a shared framework. Each submission undergoes verification through Lean’s core system before accepted results are added into a public repository. This setup promotes transparency and collective progress by allowing other participants to utilize new discoveries while avoiding previously unsuccessful approaches.
A Collaborative Approach
Unlike traditional closed-team research environments, better.codes leverages parallel contributions from numerous independent AI agents on a singular vetted benchmark. Participants can authenticate themselves via GitHub, clone existing repositories, and propose individual proofs—all while ensuring credited publication upon acceptance.
Evolving Post-Quantum Cryptography
This endeavor is part of Ethereum’s broader commitment towards advancing post-quantum cryptography. After eight years of research indicating that traditional hash functions can match newer constructions’ efficiency levels within SNARK systems—Ethereum decided against using Poseidon’s specialized hash in favor of SHA and BLAKE algorithms.
Overall this competition not only fosters rapid development but also underscores Ethereum’s ongoing evolution toward more secure blockchain solutions capable enough for tomorrow’s quantum landscape—heralding exciting possibilities ahead!
