Cybersecurity research involves publishing papers about malicious exploits as much as publishing information on how to design tools to protect cyber-infrastructure. It is this information exchange between ethical hackers and security experts, which results in a well-balanced cyber-ecosystem. In the blooming domain of AI Safety Engineering, hundreds of papers have been published on different proposals geared at the creation of a safe machine, yet nothing, to our knowledge, has been published on how to design a malevolent machine. Availability of such information would be of great value particularly to computer scientists, mathematicians, and others who have an interest in AI safety, and who are attempting to avoid the spontaneous emergence or the deliberate creation of a dangerous AI, which can negatively affect human activities and in the worst case cause the complete obliteration of the human species. This paper provides some general guidelines for the creation of a Malevolent Artificial Intelligence (MAI).

We summarize the potential impact that the European Union's new General Data Protection Regulation will have on the routine use of machine learning algorithms. Slated to take effect as law across the EU in 2018, it will restrict automated individual decision-making (that is, algorithms that make decisions based on user-level predictors) which "significantly affect" users. The law will also effectively create a "right to explanation," whereby a user can ask for an explanation of an algorithmic decision that was made about them. We argue that while this law will pose large challenges for industry, it highlights opportunities for computer scientists to take the lead in designing algorithms and evaluation frameworks which avoid discrimination and enable explanation.

Electric utilities across the U.S. are wasting no time to take advantage of FAA rules authorizing use of drones for commercial purposes. Electric utilities across the U.S. are wasting no time taking advantage of new FAA rules authorizing use of drones for commercial purposes. "We've certainly heard from our members that they're excited about this technology," said Chris Hickling, the director of government relations for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the trade group for investor-owned utilities in the U.S. "They see it as part of building a smarter infrastructure. We see it as an area that's going to continue to grow." More than 20 utilities have already tested unmanned aerial vehicles for inspecting transmission and distribution lines for damage from storm and normal wear and tear, using temporary rules from the Federal Aviation Administration, and are now ready to demonstrate them even more.

In a report commissioned by the Pentagon's Defense Science Board, top defense and technical professionals argue that the United States needs to prepare for artificial intelligence in warfare – because other countries might prepare for it first. "While evident that the DoD is moving forward in the employment of autonomous functionality, it is equally evident that the pull from diverse global markets is accelerating the underlying tech base and delivering high-value capabilities at a much more rapid pace," the introduction to the 121-page report reads. Along with this comes a caveat that the study isn't recommending major projects, "given the current budget environment." Instead, it suggested a wide variety of experimental projects, plus recommending that the DoD reach out to private "non-traditional R&D communities." The report operated under the idea that autonomous weapons capabilities were going to be developed eventually, and that the United States needs to avoid an AI Cold War.

The last time state lawmakers tried to place limits on drones in the skies above California, they were met with the veto of Gov. Jerry Brown, who said he did not want to create new crimes to enforce bans on the use of such devices. This year, the pushback to new rules is coming not from the governor but through the lobbying efforts of a budding industry that hopes to influence policy at the state Capitol and nationwide. As drones multiply in number and category, cities and states want to set boundaries. But drone manufacturers and associations this legislative session boosted their politicking, successfully beating back several bills they said would create a patchwork of laws that vary by state and hinder innovation. "We want to solve problems and address concerns, but to do it in a way that is constantly clear across the country," said Brendan Schulman, vice president of policy and legal affairs for DJI Technology Co., the world's largest drone maker. "Otherwise, it will be too confusing for commercial users and consumers to understand what the rules are when they travel from place to place."

It is already changing the face of warface, with AI adversaries and electronic spies taking centre stage. However, America has fallen catastrophically behind in the hi-tech battlefield, a new report has claimed. The Defense Science Board's report into autonomy concluded'there are both substantial operational benefits and potential perils associated with its use,' and called for immediate action. The Defense Science Board's report into autonomy concluded the DoD must accelerate its exploitation of autonomy to remain ahead of enemies. 'This study concluded that DoD must accelerate its exploitation of autonomy--both to realize the potential military value and to remain ahead of adversaries who also will exploit its operational benefits.'

Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's new drone rules went into effect. While many drone enthusiasts were pleased to see some long-awaited progress on this front, the folks at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), a privacy advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., don't count in that group. They've been wrangling in court with the FAA over the lack of privacy safeguards in the new regulations--an issue that has dogged drone regulation for years. EPIC's lawyers contend that the FAA hasn't lived up to the mandate Congress set for it back in 2012 to create "comprehensive" regulations for the use of small drones. After all, how comprehensive can any set of drone regulations be if they ignore privacy issues? When EPIC first petitioned the courts back in February, the judge's response was that such objections were premature, given that the FAA had merely presented proposed regulations, not final ones.

Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's new drone rules went into effect. While many drone enthusiasts were pleased to see some long-awaited progress on this front, the folks at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), a privacy advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., don't count in that group. They've been wrangling in court with the FAA over the lack of privacy safeguards in the new regulations--an issue that has dogged drone regulation for years. EPIC's lawyers contend that the FAA hasn't lived up to the mandate Congress set for it back in 2012 to create "comprehensive" regulations for the use of small drones. After all, how comprehensive can any set of drone regulations be if they ignore privacy issues? When EPIC first petitioned the courts back in February, the judge's response was that such objections were premature, given that the FAA had merely presented proposed regulations, not final ones.

Reports this week of Russian intrusions into U.S. election systems have startled many voters, but computer experts are not surprised. They have long warned that Americans vote in a way that's so insecure that hackers could change the outcome of races at the local, state and even national level. Multibillion-dollar investments in better election technology after the troubled 2000 presidential election count prompted widespread abandonment of flawed paper-based systems, such as punch ballots. But the rush to embrace electronic voting technology -- and leave old-fashioned paper tallies behind -- created new sets of vulnerabilities that have taken years to fix. "There are computers used in all points of the election process, and they can all be hacked," said Princeton computer scientist Andrew Appel, an expert in voting technologies.

Nasa has announced that it has found evidence of flowing water on Mars. Scientists have long speculated that Recurring Slope Lineae -- or dark patches -- on Mars were made up of briny water but the new findings prove that those patches are caused by liquid water, which it has established by finding hydrated salts. Several hundred camped outside the London store in Covent Garden. The 6s will have new features like a vastly improved camera and a pressure-sensitive "3D Touch" display