In this blog post, we will look at how the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence will change our lives and society.
Not only in Korea but also around the world, there is a strong trend toward industrialization through electronic networks. Other industries have also evolved thanks to the development of the electronics industry. Instead of paying with cash, people are now making electronic payments through their smartphones. Before parking, drivers can obtain information about available parking spaces from sensors attached to parking spaces. Things that are difficult for humans to do are being realized through networks. The medium for this is devices such as smartphones that are connected to networks. The network formed by these devices is called the Internet of Things. As mentioned in the example, the Internet of Things plays a pivotal role in today’s information society. So, are there any risks associated with the benefits derived from the Internet of Things? Let’s discuss this.
The Internet of Things plays a role in managing the exchange of information between objects. However, it is difficult to identify patterns or detect that someone has manipulated information. For example, a person who manages parcel delivery cannot recognize the regularity of parcel delivery by day of the week, nor can they detect if someone maliciously switches parcels in the middle of delivery. As such, the Internet of Things cannot solve the risk of pattern recognition or hacking on its own. In order to overcome these limitations, something else is desperately needed. That something is artificial intelligence.
The Internet of Things allows a single device to receive all data between objects through a network. However, this advantage is also a perfect target for hackers. The network “Shodan,” known as the “dark Google,” provides information about devices connected to the Internet around the world. The information provided by Shodan is concretized in several steps. First, it accesses devices through the network of objects. Second, it finds backdoors that allow it to view information such as object passwords without authentication. Third, the information viewed through the backdoor is delivered to users who searched for it on Shodan.
Shodan adds more than 500 million devices to its search engine every month. This tremendous expansion has increased the potential risks. Network services such as Shodan can easily penetrate security networks through the Internet of Things in businesses and even homes, and be used for unethical purposes. However, the speed at which laws governing networks are being enacted is not keeping pace with the speed at which related crimes are emerging. For example, suppose that the front CCTV camera of a robot vacuum cleaner connected to the Internet of Things is hacked. This would lead to invasion of privacy in the home through the robot vacuum cleaner’s camera. If the Internet of Things that manages a country’s power supply is hacked, the entire city could be plunged into a blackout, causing astronomical damage. However, there are no laws in place to punish such acts.
Artificial intelligence is used to solve these security issues. When information on the Internet of Things is hacked, damage to the software is revealed through the device. At that moment, artificial intelligence can activate security programs to prevent further damage. The attacked packets are blocked, and a filter is created internally. The blocking filter is immediately updated to protect the network bandwidth. In simple terms, the entity responsible for the initial hack is automatically analyzed. After that, countermeasures against attacks are continuously prepared. This ensures the smooth flow of information.
Furthermore, damage may not be limited to software, but may also manifest physically. Suppose a computer virus infiltrates the power grid. Artificial intelligence with data on typical situations can determine whether a virus has infiltrated by measuring the current and voltage. Just like a fuse that cuts off the power when there is an overcurrent, artificial intelligence can run security programs to detect viruses. Of course, detecting viruses is not easy, but at least it is a way to build a defense system that can block hacking.
In addition to preventing damage, AI can create added value when used with the Internet of Things (IoT). In hospitals, sensors attached to patients’ bodies can be connected to the IoT to diagnose their conditions and prescribe appropriate treatments. The sensors monitor patients’ overall health, including blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This allows for diagnoses based on objective data rather than subjective statements from patients. Even if patients are unable to speak, diagnoses can be made using useful data from sensors. With the addition of AI, data analysis becomes possible. First, the physical data of previous patients when they fell ill is stored. Then, the physical condition of patients in a specific state is analyzed. Finally, the probability of various diseases occurring based on that condition can be presented. In other words, it creates big data for the medical field. With the aging of Japanese society, welfare issues have become a chronic problem. The Japanese government is utilizing medical big data to optimize the distribution of limited medical resources. It is also strengthening competitiveness in the medical and health fields by predicting the onset of future diseases for each individual. This goes beyond simply assisting doctors and replaces some of their roles.
AI can be of great help not only inside hospitals but also outside them. By connecting the physical condition of people at home to nearby hospitals via the Internet of Things, information on their physical indicators can be obtained. If AI determines that there has been a change in physical indicators that could endanger a person’s life, it will recognize this as an emergency situation. In such cases, an ambulance can be dispatched immediately on the orders of AI to take appropriate measures.
In summary, there are ways to use AI to compensate for the side effects of the IoT. AI can also act as a catalyst to break through the limitations of the IoT. In the near future, AI and the IoT will become collaborative partners. The successful convergence of the two should serve as a stepping stone for a safe and prosperous life for future generations.
