Posts Tagged ‘QuantumComputing’
[DefCon32] Fireside Chat – The Dark Tangent and DNSA Anne Neuberger
Jeff Moss, known as The Dark Tangent, founder of DEF CON, engages in a dynamic fireside chat with Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology. Their conversation at DEF CON 32 explores pressing cybersecurity issues, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing, from the White House’s perspective. Jeff and Anne discuss how the hacker community can influence policy, fostering collaboration to enhance global digital resilience.
Navigating Emerging Technologies
Anne opens by outlining her role in shaping the Biden Administration’s cybersecurity policies, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI and quantum computing. She highlights the need for resilient digital systems, given their critical role in hospitals and power grids. Jeff complements this by noting DEF CON’s history of hosting government speakers, underscoring the importance of dialogue between hackers and policymakers.
Strengthening Global Cooperation
The discussion shifts to international cybersecurity cooperation, with Anne detailing efforts to align allies against digital threats. She explains how coordinated responses can de-escalate conflicts, reducing the risk of cyberattacks by nation-states or criminals. Jeff probes the practicalities of these partnerships, highlighting the hacker community’s role in testing and refining these strategies.
Engaging the Hacker Community
Anne emphasizes the DEF CON community’s unique ability to identify vulnerabilities and propose innovative solutions. She encourages hackers to engage with government initiatives, leveraging tools like generative AI to patch vulnerabilities swiftly. Jeff reinforces this, noting that DEF CON’s open forum allows for candid feedback, shaping policies that reflect real-world challenges.
Building a Resilient Future
Concluding, Anne reflects on her privilege to serve in government, driven by a commitment to freedom and security. She invites hackers to collaborate on building robust digital systems, ensuring safety for critical infrastructure worldwide. Jeff echoes this call, envisioning DEF CON as a catalyst for policy improvements, with Anne’s return next year symbolizing ongoing partnership.
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[DefCon32] If Existing Cyber Vulns Magically Disappeared, What Next
Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, Director of DARPA, joined by Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, inaugural Director of ARPA-H, explores a hypothetical scenario where all cyber vulnerabilities vanish overnight. Their session at DEF CON 32, moderated interactively, delves into the hacker community’s contributions to cybersecurity and the next frontier of challenges, from supply chain vulnerabilities to quantum computing. Stefanie and Renee emphasize the synergy between DARPA, ARPA-H, and the DEF CON community in shaping a secure digital future.
The Hacker Community’s Legacy
Stefanie opens by celebrating the DEF CON community’s role in challenging the status quo, citing DARPA’s Cyber Grand Challenge and Cyber Fast Track as catalysts for vulnerability detection advancements. She highlights how diverse perspectives have driven innovations like the ARPANET, the precursor to the internet. Stefanie underscores the community’s potential to address future threats, encouraging active collaboration with agencies like DARPA.
Envisioning a Vulnerability-Free World
Renee explores the implications of a world without cyber vulnerabilities, questioning what new challenges would emerge. She discusses ARPA-H’s Apex program, which leverages generative AI to create novel antigen sequences for unaddressed viruses, illustrating how hacker ingenuity could pivot to proactive solutions. Renee emphasizes the need to secure health tech ecosystems, particularly hospitals, against cyberattacks.
Tackling Supply Chain and Quantum Challenges
Stefanie, a geologist by training, shares her focus on supply chain vulnerabilities, given their critical role in global technology ecosystems. She also addresses quantum computing’s uncertain future, noting DARPA’s efforts to determine its transformative potential versus obsolescence. Stefanie’s insights highlight the need for rigorous questioning to guide technological development, inviting hackers to contribute ideas.
Fostering Collaborative Innovation
Concluding, Renee and Stefanie call for continued partnership with the DEF CON community to solve complex problems. They encourage attendees to share ideas with DARPA and ARPA-H, emphasizing that transformative solutions arise from collective creativity. Their vision for a resilient digital and health infrastructure inspires hackers to shape the next era of cybersecurity innovation.
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[DevoxxUS2017] New Computer Architectures: Explore Quantum Computers & SyNAPSE Neuromorphic Chips by Peter Waggett
At DevoxxUS2017, Dr. Peter Waggett, Director of IBM’s Emerging Technology group at the Hursley Laboratory, delivered a thought-provoking session on next-generation computer architectures, focusing on quantum computers and IBM’s TrueNorth neuromorphic chip. With a background in radio astronomy and extensive research in cognitive computing, Peter explored how these technologies address the growing demand for processing power in a smarter, interconnected world. This post delves into the core themes of Peter’s presentation, highlighting the potential of these innovative architectures.
Quantum Computing: A New Frontier
Peter Waggett introduced quantum computing, explaining its potential to solve complex problems beyond the reach of classical systems. He described how quantum computers manipulate atomic spins using MRI-like systems, leveraging quantum entanglement and superposition. Drawing from his work at IBM, Peter highlighted ongoing research to make quantum computing accessible, emphasizing its role in advancing fields like cryptography and material science, despite challenges like helium shortages impacting hardware.
TrueNorth: Brain-Inspired Computing
Delving into neuromorphic computing, Peter showcased IBM’s TrueNorth chip, a brain-inspired architecture with 1 million neurons and 256 synapses, consuming just 73mW. Unlike traditional processors, TrueNorth challenges conventions like exact data representation and synchronicity, enabling low-power sensory perception for IoT and mobile applications. Peter’s examples illustrated TrueNorth’s scalability, positioning it as a cornerstone of IBM’s cognitive hardware ecosystem for transformative applications.
Addressing Scalability and Efficiency
Peter discussed the scalability of new architectures, comparing TrueNorth’s energy efficiency to traditional compute fabrics. He highlighted how neuromorphic chips optimize for error tolerance and energy-frequency trade-offs, ideal for IoT’s sensory demands. His insights, grounded in IBM’s client-focused projects, underscored the need for innovative designs to meet the computational needs of a connected planet, from smart cities to autonomous devices.
Building a Developer Community
Concluding, Peter emphasized the importance of fostering a developer community to advance these technologies. He encouraged collaboration through IBM’s research initiatives, noting the need for skilled engineers to tackle challenges like helium scarcity and system design. Peter’s vision for accessible platforms, inspired by his radio astronomy background, invited developers to explore quantum and neuromorphic computing, driving innovation in cognitive systems.