Google DeepMind has a new head of security

Google DeepMind has appointed Ben Laurie as its new head of security. Laurie announced on his Twitter page on Thursday he has joined the artificial intelligence research company -- bought by Google for a reported 400 million in 2014 -- as head of security and transparency. Laurie is the founding director of the Apache Software Foundation, a director at the Open Rights Group, and a veteran Google software engineer. He describes himself on his LinkedIn profile as an: "Extremely proficient programmer (over 30 years experience) and system designer. Security, cryptography, privacy and civil liberties are my passions." The Cambridge University graduate wrote on Twitter that he is "excited" and "proud" to be taking on the new role.