What I mean by "exponential progression by definition" is this:
We use technology to produce better technology.
That's the cycle that will go on as long as we exist.
It's by definition of exponential acceleration. In a few years, we will be creating technology based on real artificial intelligence.
Secondly, because the number of people and the data they have to store also increase exponentially. Maybe they can decrypt someone's data but they cannot decrypt everyone's data. So if we all use encryption, they are pretty much lost because they won't know what to decrypt.
So I would say that encryption is pretty safe, but very impractical.
edit: To kimlelly, ok if AI is "short term" then I cannot disagree :) But, then is there a solution at all?