Dartmouth Events

Machine Learning in Adversarial Settings: Patrick McDaniel, Penn State

Advances in machine learning have enabled new applications and services to process inputs in previously unthinkably complex environments

Wednesday, March 27, 2019
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Haldeman 41 (Kreindler Conference Hall)
Intended Audience(s): Public
Categories: Lectures & Seminars

Abstract: Advances in machine learning have enabled new applications and services to process inputs in previously unthinkably complex environments. Autonomous cars, data analytics, adaptive communication systems and self-aware software systems are now revolutionizing markets and blurring the lines between computer systems and real intelligence. In this talk, I consider evolving use of machine learning in security-sensitive contexts and explore why many systems are vulnerable to nonobvious and potentially dangerous manipulation. Here, we examine sensitivity in any application whose misuse might lead to harm—for instance, forcing adaptive network in an unstable state, crashing an autonomous vehicle or bypassing an adult content filter. I explore the use of machine learning in this area particularly in light of discoveries in the creation of adversarial samples and defenses against them, and posit on future attacks on machine learning. The talk is concluded with a discussion of the unavoidable vulnerabilities of systems built on probabilistic machine learning, and outline areas for offensive and defensive research in the future.

Bio: Patrick McDaniel is the William L. Weiss Professor of Information and Communications Technology and Director of the Institute for Networking and Security Research in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Pennsylvania State University. Professor McDaniel is also a Fellow of the IEEE and ACM and the director of the NSF Frontier Center for Trustworthy Machine Learning. He also served as the program manager and lead scientist for the Army Research Laboratory's Cyber-Security Collaborative Research Alliance from 2013 to 2018. Patrick's research centrally focuses on a wide range of topics in computer and network security and technical public policy. Prior to joining Penn State in 2004, he was a senior research staff member at AT&T Labs-Research.

 

For more information, contact:
Sandra Hall

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.