Lumen Technologies unveiled initiatives addressing AI energy challenges and quantum connectivity, including quantum-resistant secure access service edge (SASE) capabilities.

The firm is investing an undisclosed amount in research at The Ohio State University to solve distributed quantum computing. Using Lumen's fiber infrastructure to explore quantum connectivity over distances, the research investigates the optical technologies needed to power long-range networking, as well as quantum tech-augmented distributed sensing to improve geophysical monitoring and identify network conditions.

Lumen’s quantum efforts don’t stop there, as it also plans to bring post-quantum cryptography (PQC) capabilities to its Fortinet-based SASE solution. Availability of the Fortinet-provided PQC will begin in November, with general availability planned for January 2027.

Lumen said the enhancement will help enterprises against the harvest now, decrypt later threat, in which threat actors steal encrypted data with the intention of waiting for PQC tech capable of breaking current cryptography methods.

Lumen lightens the energy load

Away from quantum, Lumen is also working with Emerald AI to explore power-aware AI workload routing. The efforts see Emerald AI’s Conductor platform integrated with Lumen’s programmable fiber network and edge infrastructure, helping to automatically redirect AI inference requests to locations with available or more economical electricity. The companies are evaluating a pilot to see how the approach can maintain low latency, network performance, and security.

Lumen framed the venture as helping operators manage electricity demand and reduce costs while expanding AI capacity without waiting for additional power infrastructure. Its announcement cited Gartner’s prediction that 75% of infrastructure and operations leaders will mandate energy-aware AI workload placement by 2030 because of data center power constraints.

“The network must do more than just connect. It must help solve the defining challenges of our time,” said Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen. “We’re innovating our network to help AI computing adapt to available energy, lay the foundation for a connected quantum future, and prepare enterprises for continuous and emerging security threats. These are distinct challenges that demand a network built for what’s next.”