Machine learning models are set to play an increasing role in aiding decision-making processes in both governmental and commercial industries in the years to come. One noteworthy area where this is likely to happen is in the geospatial domain, where information obtained from GPS devices and satellite and aerial imagery is used to make both strategic and business decisions. It is thus important to understand how models in this domain stand up to adversarial attack and how trustworthy their outputs are. In April 2021, F-Secure conducted a threat analysis study of machine learning models in the geospatial domain. We investigated several possible attacks and attack goals and proposed mitigations against them.

Machine learning algorithms have rapidly become the key to advancing technologies far beyond their current capabilities. Their ability to analyze large amounts of data, autonomously evolve to meet dynamic challenges, and surpass the limitations of the human mind, present tremendous possibilities for the future. But with those possibilities come dangers. While Hollywood paints a rather far-fetched picture of machines rising up and eradicating humanity, the current reality is that many machine learning powered systems are susceptible to attack. And they're being attacked right now.

While AI and machine learning are enabling definite advances in the digital world, these technologies are also raising privacy and ethical concerns. What does AI mean for personal privacy, and is it being exploited unethically? Are these concerns being addressed, or will AI spell disaster for society? Bernd Stahl is coordinator of the EU's SHERPA project, a consortium that investigates the impact of AI on ethics and human rights. Bernd stopped by for episode 34 of Cyber Security Sauna to discuss the delicate balance of AI – its advantages and disadvantages, potential misuses and how AI may improve life and create opportunity for some, while others may be hurt by algorithmic biases and unemployment. Listen, or read on for the transcript. And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review! Janne: So Bernd, how would you frame the work that the SHERPA project is doing? Bernd: SHERPA is trying to explore which ethical issues arise due to the use of AI. We're looking at human rights components in a variety of ways, and we are, as part of the overall work of the project, trying to explore which options of addressing possible ethical and human rights issues exist, which ones of those are important, and which ones of those need to be emphasized. Overall we hope to come up with a set of recommendations and proposals for the European Commission, but also for other stakeholders, that will help them deal with any issues that they may encounter.