Unveiling the Lack of Transparency in AI Research

December 31, 2022December 31, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

A recent systematic review by Burak Kocak MD et al. has revealed a lack of transparency in AI research. The data, presented in Academic Radiology, showed that only 18% of the 194 selected radiology and nuclear medicine studies included in the analysis had raw data available, with access to private data in only one paper. Additionally, just one-tenth of the selected papers shared the pre-modeling, modeling, or post-modeling files.

The authors of the study attributed this lack of availability mainly to the regulatory hurdles that need to be overcome in order to address privacy concerns. The authors suggested that manuscript authors, peer-reviewers, and journal editors could help make AI studies more reproducible in the future by being conscious of transparency and data/code availability when publishing research results.

The findings of the study highlight the importance of transparency in AI research. Without access to data and code, it is difficult to validate and replicate results, leading to a lack of trust in the results. This is especially important for medical AI research, as the safety and efficacy of treatments and diagnostics depend on accurate and reliable results. What further steps can be taken to increase transparency while still protecting privacy?

Exploring the Interdependencies between AI and Cybersecurity

December 30, 2022December 18, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

With the increasing prevalence of AI technology in our lives, it is important to understand the relationship between AI and cybersecurity. This relationship is complex, with a range of interdependencies between AI and cybersecurity. From the cybersecurity of AI systems to the use of AI in bolstering cyber defenses, and even the malicious use of AI, there are a number of different dimensions to explore.

Protecting AI Systems from Cyber Threats: As AI is increasingly used in a variety of applications, the security of the AI technology and its systems is paramount. This includes the implementation of measures such as data encryption, authentication protocols, and access control to ensure the safety and integrity of AI systems.

Using AI to Support Cybersecurity: AI-based technologies are being used to detect cyber threats and anomalies that may not be detected by traditional security tools. AI-powered security tools are being developed to analyze data and detect malicious activities, such as malware and phishing attacks.

AI-Facilitated Cybercrime: AI-powered tools can be used in malicious ways, from deepfakes used to spread misinformation to botnets used to launch DDoS attacks. The potential for malicious use of AI is a major concern for cybersecurity professionals.

In conclusion, AI and cybersecurity have a multi-dimensional relationship with a number of interdependencies. AI is being used to bolster cybersecurity, while at the same time it is being used for malicious activities. Cybersecurity professionals must be aware of the potential for malicious use of AI and ensure that the security of AI systems is maintained.

Explore the Future of Smart Home Technology with Amazon’s Dream Home

December 25, 2022December 14, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative on Pexels.com

From Amazon’s Echo to its Ring doorbell, the tech giant has made its way into many of our homes. But do you know what Amazon is learning about you and your family? From its smart gadgets, services, and data collection, Amazon has the potential to build a detailed profile of its users.

The data collected by Amazon can help power an “ambient intelligence” to make our home smarter, but it can also be a surveillance nightmare. Amazon may not “sell” our data to third parties, but it can use it to gain insights into our buying habits and more.

We must all decide how much of our lives we’re comfortable with Big Tech tracking us. Read the story authored by Geoffrey A. Fowler here to explore ways in which Amazon and potentially other Big Tech companies are watching us.

If you want to learn more about cyber security and smart homes, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me! I’m always happy to answer any questions and always look for collaboration opportunities.

Understanding the Benefits of Academic Freedom

December 23, 2022December 12, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

Academic freedom is a fundamental right that ensures professors and students can conduct research, teach, and discuss ideas without fear of institutional censorship. This right is enshrined in many of the founding documents of higher education, including the American Association of University Professors’ 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, which affirms that “Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth.”

Academic freedom is essential for the advancement of knowledge and the protection of academic integrity. It is also beneficial for universities and colleges, providing them with the ability to recruit the best faculty and students and attract high-level research funding. Additionally, it provides an environment in which creativity and innovation can thrive. In practice, academic freedom enables faculty to pursue research and teaching in any field of their choosing and to express their views in the classroom and the curriculum, irrespective of their popularity or controversy. Similarly, students are allowed to challenge and debate ideas in the classroom without fear of repercussions, promoting critical thinking and the exploration of diverse perspectives.

In conclusion, academic freedom is an integral part of a free and open society, essential for the continued advancement of knowledge and the protection of academic integrity. It should be respected and protected in order to ensure the continued growth of knowledge and the success of academic institutions.

The Matter Smart Home Standard

December 18, 2022December 19, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

Matter is a royalty-free smart home standard that promotes platform and device interoperability. Built on the Internet Protocol, Matter enables communication across smart home devices and ecosystems over a variety of IP-based networking technologies, such as Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet.

The persistent need for an Internet connection experienced by modern IoT devices is likewise addressed by the Matter smart home standard. Indeed, Matter products run locally and do not rely on an Internet connection, although the standard is designed to readily communicate with the cloud.

Security is a fundamental premise of Matter. Matter functional security includes the following five characteristics:

Comprehensive – Matter is an open-source framework designed to provide comprehensive security with a layered approach that includes authentication, attestation, message protection and firmware updates, relying solely on its own security features and not on external communication protocols.
Strong – Matter implements a variety of security techniques, including a cryptosuite based on AES, SHA-256, and ECC, as well as passcode-based session and certificate-based establishment protocols. It also adopts device attestation and the CSA Distributed Compliance Ledger to guarantee a compliant and interoperable ecosystem.
Easy to use – Matter security is a smart device platform designed to make the implementation and use of smart devices much easier for device makers and consumers alike. It comes with open source reference implementations and well-defined security assets, making it a secure and simple solution for customers.
Resilient – Matter security is designed to protect, detect, and recover data, utilizing multiple protocols and measures to prevent denial of service attacks and provide resilience even when sleeping devices are involved.
Agile – Matter is a crypto-flexible protocol that abstracts cryptographic primitives, enabling the specification to be quickly changed or upgraded in response to new security threats. The modular design also allows for individual protocols to be replaced without completely overhauling the whole system.

Matter is paving the way for a secure and reliable connected home of the future. With its comprehensive security and ability to operate without an Internet connection, Matter is the ideal choice for modern IoT devices. It is revolutionizing the way home devices communicate, providing a safe and secure environment for the connected home of the future.

8 Rules for Good Research Practice

December 16, 2022December 17, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

As a researcher, it is important to understand good research practices and to make sure to adhere to them. This article will delve into each of the eight rules proposed by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet, 2017) for good research practice and provide examples of how to apply them in your own research.

1. To tell the truth about one’s research. This means being honest and open about the methods and results of your research. It also means not making false claims or manipulating data to fit a desired outcome. To ensure that your research is truthful, make sure to accurately record your data and to clearly explain any methods or results that are not obvious. It is also important to keep an open mind when conducting research; be willing to question your own assumptions and consider alternative explanations.

2. To consciously review and report the basic premises of one’s studies. When conducting research, it is important to be aware of the assumptions and premises of your work. Make sure to clearly explain why you are conducting the research, what results in you expect, and how the research will be used. This will help to ensure that the research is conducted in a sound and ethical manner.

3. To openly account for one’s methods and results. When conducting research, it is important to clearly explain the methods and results that were used in the study. This includes explaining the rationale behind the methods, the results that were obtained, and any limitations or weaknesses that were encountered. Doing so will help to make sure that the research is conducted in an ethical manner and that the results are accurate and meaningful.

4. To openly account for one’s commercial interests and other associations. When conducting research, it is important to be aware of any financial or other interests that may affect the results of the study. Make sure to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as funding sources, collaborations, or affiliations. This will help to ensure that the research is conducted in an ethical manner and that the results are unbiased.

5. To not make unauthorized use of the research results of others. When conducting research, it is important to respect the intellectual property of others. Make sure to properly cite any sources that you use and to get permission before using the research results of others. Doing so will help to ensure that you are not infringing on the rights of others and will help to protect your own work from potential misuse.

6. To keep one’s research organized, for example, through documentation and filing. When conducting research, it is important to keep track of the data and results that you obtain. Make sure to keep accurate records and to store data in a secure manner. Doing so will help to ensure that the research is conducted in an orderly and ethical manner and will help to protect the integrity of the research.

7. Striving to conduct one’s research without doing harm to people, animals, or the environment. When conducting research, it is important to be aware of the potential consequences of the study. Make sure to consider any ethical implications of the research and to take necessary steps to minimize any potential risks or harms. This will help to ensure that the research is conducted ethically and with respect for the rights of participants, animals, and the environment.

8. To be fair in one’s judgement of others’ research. When conducting research, it is important to be aware of the potential biases that may influence one’s judgement. Make sure to consider the context of the research and to keep an open mind when evaluating the work of others. Doing so will help to ensure that your own research is conducted in an ethical manner and that the results are reliable.

In conclusion, it is important for researchers to be aware of and adhere to the ethical guidelines and principles of good research practice. By understanding and following these eight rules proposed by the Swedish Research Council, researchers can ensure that their work is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner.

Courses Needed for a PhD: Exploring the Requirements at a Swedish University

December 9, 2022December 2, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

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If you are considering a Ph.D., you may wonder what courses you should take. This is a common question, and the answer depends mainly on the particular university, department, and field of study. As someone who has studied at a Swedish university, I can offer some insight into this topic.

The first type of courses taken by Ph.D. students are those related to the subject of their studies. For example, a student studying Computer Science, with a specialization in cyber security, may take courses such as Advanced Cryptography, Advanced Network Security, and Security Protocols. These courses provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply their research to cyber security.

The second type of courses taken by Ph.D. students are those related to research methods. Research methods courses are designed to help the student develop the skills necessary to conduct research and interpret and communicate the results of their research. Some of the courses that Ph.D. students take in this area include Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Statistics, and Research Design. These courses help the student develop the skills and knowledge necessary to design and implement research projects and interpret and communicate their results.

The third type of courses taken by Ph.D. students are those related to the broader objectives of their Ph.D. These include courses such as Pedagogy, Leadership, and Professional Development. These courses are designed to help the student develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in academia, such as the ability to teach, lead, and work with other professionals in the field.

A university often offers some, if not all, of the doctorate courses needed for a candidate to complete a Ph.D. However, it’s also feasible that the university will let the student attend classes or use research resources at other institutions. This is especially true if the student is pursuing a program that is interdisciplinary, in which they may need to draw on the resources and subject matter expertise of other institutions. Additionally, universities may offer online courses or allow distance learning, allowing students to gain their education from remote locations.

In conclusion, the courses taken by a Ph.D. student depend on the field of study, the university, and the department. Generally, courses related to the subject of their studies, research methods, and broader objectives are taken. These courses are necessary for the student to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a successful Ph.D.

How to Choose a Conference to Publish Your Paper

December 2, 2022November 27, 2022 / bugejajoseph / Leave a comment

There are several factors that I take into account when choosing a conference to publish at. The first is obviously the quality of the conference. I only want to publish at conferences that are well-regarded and have a good reputation. The second is the location of the conference. I prefer conferences that are located in convenient locations so that I can easily get to and from the conference. The third is the size of the conference. I generally prefer smaller conferences so that I can have more one-on-one time with the other attendees.

I think that the most important thing to remember when choosing a conference to publish at is to choose one that is a good fit for your paper. Not all conferences are created equal, and some will be better suited for your paper than others. It is important to do your research and make sure that you are submitting your paper to a conference that is likely to accept it.

I usually use WikiCFP together with the Norwegian Register to help me choose a good conference. WikiCFP is a great resource for finding open calls for papers for conferences and workshops in many different fields. I can browse by field or by location, and I can also view the most recently added conferences. The Norwegian Register is a Norwegian database that includes information about scientific journals, series, and publishers. I use this database to find information about the quality of the conference, particularly its scientific level. I have found that using both of these resources together has helped me find good conferences to submit my papers to.

Submitting to a conference can be a time-consuming process, so it is important to choose wisely. I hope these resources help you find the perfect conference for your work!

Joseph Bugeja

Security, Privacy, and Academic Life

Month: December 2022