Anatoly Yakovenko: “We need cryptography because the only thing AI can’t generate are cryptographic signatures.”
Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko recently emphasized why cryptography is so vital in today’s AI-driven world. According to Yakovenko, while artificial intelligence can generate images, text, even video convincingly, it cannot forge cryptographic signatures—digital proofs secured by private keys. This is precisely why cryptography is essential for authenticating information and securing digital transactions: it is fundamentally resilient to fake generation, even from the most advanced AI.
What is a Digital Signature?
A digital signature is like a tamper-proof, virtual stamp that proves a message or document really comes from you and hasn’t been changed. It uses something called cryptography so that if you “sign” a digital file, anyone with your public key can verify the signature is yours and that the file is authentic.
Authenticity: Confirms who sent the message.
Integrity: Proves the message hasn’t been altered.
Non-repudiation: You can’t deny having signed the message, because only you have the private key needed to create that signature.
What is a Private Key? (Simple Explanation)
A private key is a secret code, known only to you, used to create your digital signature. Think of it like a super-secure password or the “real” key to your digital identity—if you keep it safe, only you can sign messages or transactions in your name.
Each private key comes with a matching public key (which you can share).
When you sign a message with your private key, others use your public key to check the signature’s validity.
As long as no one else knows your private key, nobody—not even an advanced AI—can forge your signature
