No offense to Einstein, but he was certainly wrong about quantum theory—it has not only endured but also proven invaluable across computing, biology, optics, and even games of chance. Now, intriguingly, it might revolutionize dice throws. Randomness is essential for digital security and fair resource distribution, notes a recent paper by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST. However, achieving genuine randomness is nearly impossible in the physical world. “True randomness is something that nothing in the universe can predict in advance, ” explains NIST physicist Krister Shalm. This rules out classical examples like dice rolls and many computer-generated "random" numbers, which are often predictable. Quantum physics offers a way around this. Take the double-slit experiment: a foundational demonstration where a beam of light creates an unpredictable interference pattern when passed through two slits. Unlike classical mechanics, the particle locations are probabilistic, not deterministic, showcasing true quantum randomness. Using a Bell test—a method that filters out classical explanations for measurement correlations—quantum randomness can be certified. Shalm notes that harnessing these correlations can produce “the best random number generator that the universe allows. ” But how can one verify the authenticity of such randomness? Verification is difficult since many sequences appear random but are not, and true randomness is often counterintuitive. The solution lies in an advanced loophole-free Bell test that measures correlations between pairs of photons under conditions excluding classical mimicry. NIST employed this technique in 2018 to produce certifiable random numbers. Peter Bierhorst, a NIST mathematician, described it as a “fail-safe” ensuring that no one can predict their numbers.

Unlike predictable coin flips, quantum randomness produces statistical correlations unique to quantum systems. Despite its effectiveness, this approach is complicated and slow, and critically depends on a single source, vulnerable to potential tampering without detection. To counter this, coauthor Gautam Kavuri advocates for “a really paranoid way” to guarantee randomness—something so robust that spoofing it would require faster-than-light communication. Enter CURBy (Colorado University Randomness Beacon), a powerful new tool developed by NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder to bring quantum randomness outside the lab as a public good. CURBy generates random numbers about 15 million times each minute, producing a massive dataset sent for processing and yielding 512 random bits after under seven minutes—equivalent to 2^512 (a 155-digit number) possible outcomes. NIST calls this “the universe’s best coin flip. ” Yet producing random numbers is only half the story; verifying them is equally crucial. The team developed Twine, a protocol based on intertwining hash chains into a hash graph—a sophisticated blockchain variant. Each new data block (representing a step in random number generation) is cryptographically linked to prior blocks, making undetected tampering extremely difficult. Moreover, Twine cross-links hashes from multiple independent chains, forming a directed acyclic graph. Any malicious alteration in one chain disrupts consistency across others, making undetected spoofing nearly impossible. This interconnected network grows stronger as more independent parties join. CURBy broadcasts its random numbers via a public website, allowing anyone to verify data integrity. Jasper Palfree, a research assistant, describes it as “a tapestry of trust, ” a “network of randomness that everyone contributes to but no individual controls. ” Such openness and scale suit applications like jury selection or public lotteries, ensuring fairness and transparency. The solution also represents an elegant fusion of practical utility with a complex quantum physics challenge. As Kavuri affirms, “NIST is a place where you have that freedom to pursue projects that are ambitious but also will give you something useful. ”