Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as critical tools for dealing with the ever-growing volume and complexity of cybersecurity threats. Machines can recognize patterns to detect malware and unusual activity better than humans and classic software. The technology also predicts potential attacks and automatically responds to threats by identifying specific trends and cycles. Indeed, it's not uncommon to have similar incidents that generally require the same response. Instead of repeating the same procedure, sometimes manually, the system can detect the attack, report and categorize the incident, and then apply the fix automatically.

The University of Miami in recent days rebutted claims it uses facial-recognition technology after students accused campus police of using the tool to identify them at a protest related to the coronavirus pandemic. Two students claim UM's dean of students told a handful of campus protesters at a virtual meeting on Sept. 22 that they were identified at an unsanctioned demonstration using specialized software that analyzed camera footage of the event.

The University of Miami in recent days rebutted claims it uses facial-recognition technology after students accused campus police of using the tool to identify them at a protest related to the coronavirus pandemic. Two students claim UM's dean of students told a handful of campus protesters at a virtual meeting on Sept. 22 that they were identified at an unsanctioned demonstration using specialized software that analyzed camera footage of the event. "We walked away with the impression that they use facial recognition and they used a specific software to identify us," said Mars Fernandez, a doctoral student in counseling psychology and one of the students at the meeting. University officials subsequently denied campus police use facial-recognition technology except when collaborating with other law enforcement agencies in certain criminal investigations. UM Spokeswoman Jacqueline R. Menendez said in a statement Friday that the students from the Sept. 4 protest, many of whom wore masks, were identified using "basic investigative techniques."

It may be a long time before you can own a truly self-driving car. But chipmakers are placing bets that you will. On Tuesday, the Japanese chipmaker Renesas, the second-largest provider of semiconductors for the automotive industry, said it will acquire San Jose based chipmaker Integrated Device Technology (IDT) for $6.7 billion, in part to prepare for autonomous vehicles. IDT has not historically provided chips for cars, but it does have sensor and wireless technologies that could help Renesas compete in the market for chips for autonomous vehicles. "Renesas and IDT have complementary technologies," says Objective Analysis analyst Jim Handy.