Image by Philipp Katzenberger, from Unsplash
AI System Promises Smarter Malware Defense With Privacy Protection
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Researchers have developed a new system to detect and fight malware using a technique called federated learning (FL).
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Uses federated learning to protect privacy while training models.
- Lab tests showed 96% success against major cyberattacks.
- Real-world accuracy dropped to 59% with complex data.
A group of researchers developed a new way to contrast computer viruses and cyberattacks inside large networks. They explain that the system uses artificial intelligence, and a method called “federated learning” to stop threats while keeping personal data private.
The idea is to combine the strengths of modern networks, which have a central “control hub,” with AI that learns in a safe, decentralized way. Instead of collecting all user data in one place, the system shares only updates to the AI model.
“Our architecture minimizes privacy risks by ensuring that raw data never leaves the device; only model updates are shared for aggregation at the global level,” the team said.
In early lab tests, the system did very well. It stopped up to 96% of big cyberattacks like botnets and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. But when tested with more real-world situations, the accuracy dropped to about 59%. The researchers say this shows just how tricky real cyber threats can be.
Even so, the system worked quickly, spotting attacks in less than a second and helping networks recover speeds from 300 to 500 megabits per second. It also managed the heavy data traffic without slowing everything down.
The new tool is especially good at spotting obvious, high-impact attacks. But it still struggles with subtle ones, like when hackers secretly steal information over time. To fix this, the researchers plan to train the AI with better data and improve the way it learns patterns. They also want to add stronger privacy tools, like secure data-sharing methods.
Image by Joniec Plumbing, from Unsplash
Blue-Collar Jobs Gain Popularity As AI Threatens Office Roles
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Amid AI fears, more young Americans pursue blue-collar trades, finding stability in jobs computers can’t easily replace, like plumbing and painting.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Geoffrey Hinton advises workers to train for trades like plumbing.
- Survey shows 42% of Gen Z pursue blue-collar or skilled jobs.
- Robotics may replace some entry-level tasks but not complex skilled labor.
Amid rising fears about AI replacing office jobs, more young Americans are turning to blue-collar work, as reported by NBC News . Geoffrey Hinton, a Nobel Prize-winning computer scientist often called “the Godfather of AI,” recently offered a simple message : “Train to be a plumber.”
He added, “I think plumbers are less at risk. Someone like a legal assistant, a paralegal, they’re not going to be needed for very long,” as reported by NBC.
Technologists and tradespeople argue that skilled trades provide enduring job stability as computers cannot perform these tasks. Newly published Microsoft research indicates that AI impacts jobs most in sales, software development, office administration, education, legal and media fields.
The research points out how AI automation can easily perform information gathering tasks, writing duties, and teaching. However, physical tasks such as plumbing, construction, and skilled trades, remain safe from generative AI disruption as of now.
“Automation is a low threat to these jobs because it involves someone manually installing equipment, and many of those who do are getting close to retirement […] AI can’t replace parts or make improvisational decisions.” said Tony Spagnoli, director of testing and education for North American Technician Excellence, as reported by NBC.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts trade job openings will grow, while entry-level positions for college graduates stagnate, as reported by NBC. Similarly, LinkedIn’s chief economic opportunity officer Aneesh Raman warns that AI is destroying entry-level roles that serve as career foundations.
“It is our office workers who are staring down the same kind of technological and economic disruption,” Raman said. Tasks like code debugging and legal team support, once done by junior staff, are now automated.
Tech faces the biggest shake-up, but finance, travel, food, and professional services are next. Raman argues that this will produce more social inequality as people without elite connections would fall behind.
Given this climate, NBC reports that a survey of 1,400 Generation Z adults by Resume Builder shows how 42% are either working in blue-collar or skilled trade jobs or planning to do so. The main reasons behind this choice include student debt avoidance,reducing the risk of being replaced by AI.
“More Gen Z college graduates are turning to trade careers and for good reason,” said Stacie Haller, Resume Builder’s chief career adviser, as reported by NBC.
Experts warn AI may eventually affect manual jobs too. “Robotics is really coming up,” said Andrew Reece, chief AI scientist at BetterUP, as reported by NBC. “It’ll start replacing entry level jobs, such as driving trucks and moving equipment, but it may take time to start figuring out the complex work,” Reece added.
Yet, most agree humans remain essential. “It’s a very wide misconception that we are on the verge of having humanoid robots basically replace workers. In my mind, that’s a myth,” said Ken Goldberg, president of the Robot Learning Foundation, as reported by NBC.
However, the shift is already visible. Over 27,000 U.S. jobs have been cut due to AI since 2023, including more than 10,000 in July alone. Entry-level corporate roles fell 15% in one year, while the tech industry accounted for over 89,000 reductions this year, with AI driving much of the disruption.
