The makers of a supercomputer designed to automatically detect, patch and exploit existing software vulnerabilities were recently awarded a seven-figure contract from the Department of Defense to apply the cutting-edge technology to military systems, including US Navy ships and aircraft. ForAllSecure's patented technology from over a decade of research resulted in Mayhem (meaning Chaos), a fully autonomous cybersecurity system. At the DARPA Cyber Grand Challenge, the world's first all-machine hacking tournament, Mayhem was battle-tested and took first place in August 2016. Machines will never be as creative as humans, though, so ForAllSecure is also committed to HackCenter, a training platform designed to teach anyone the actionable skills needed to be effective in cybersecurity, as well as the delivery of in-person training events. Mayhem won first place and $2 million in the Cyber Grand Challenge.

The vision of the so-called internet of things -- giving all sorts of physical things a digital makeover -- has been years ahead of reality. But that gap is closing fast. Today, the range of things being computerized and connected to networks is stunning, from watches, appliances and clothing to cars, jet engines and factory equipment. Even roadways and farm fields are being upgraded with digital sensors. In the last two years, the number of internet-of-things devices in the world has surged nearly 70 percent to 6.4 billion, according to Gartner, a research firm.

OK, they didn't literally run for any hills. But the EFF wrote a very panicked blog post warning of the dangers to come if an AI trained to hack wasn't parented properly. The histrionic post made a few headlines, but missed the point of the competition entirely. If the AI playing Def Con's all-machine Capture the Flag had feelings, they would've been very hurt indeed. The seven different AI agents were projects of teams that hailed from around the world, coming together to compete for a 2 million purse.

Okay, they didn't literally run for any hills. But the EFF wrote a very panicked blog post warning of the dangers to come if an AI trained to hack wasn't parented properly. The histrionic post made a few headlines, but missed the point of the competition entirely. If the AI playing Def Con's all-machine Capture The Flag had feelings, they would've been very hurt indeed. The seven different AI agents were projects of teams that hailed from around the world, coming together to compete for a 2 million purse.

I'm seated in a giant ballroom where vast rows of chairs face seven glowing supercomputers. Each liquid-cooled rack of servers is lit with a different color. Though they stand on a dais at the Paris Las Vegas resort as still as statues, the computers are locked in heated battle with each other. "The race for third is very tight," says Hakeem Oluseyi, an astrophysicist, in a rousing voice. ForAllSecure's team Mayhem stands as a silent sentinel in the DARPA Cyber Grand Challenge.