USENIX Security '18-Q: Why Do Keynote Speakers Keep Suggesting That Improving Security Is Possible?

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Understanding the Key Points from the Keynote Speech

1. Introduction to Keynote Speech:

   • The keynote speech by James Mickens focuses on the prevailing theme of "Computer Sciences in Trouble" and highlights skepticism in the field of technology and computer science.

2. Engaging Storytelling:

   • Mickens shares a humorous story about a magician he encountered in a coffee shop in San Francisco to illustrate the value of skepticism in computer science.

3. Challenges with Machine Learning:

   • Mickens discusses the hype around machine learning and its widespread applications, emphasizing the challenges in understanding the mathematical foundations of machine learning.

4. Training a Machine Learning Model:

   • Mickens provides a brief overview of training a machine learning model for digit recognition, explaining the process of input data representation, classification, and neural network training.

5. Issues with AI and Security:

   • He highlights the problematic aspects of connecting machine learning to the internet, emphasizing the security risks associated with AI deployment in critical systems like criminal justice and financial markets.

6. Importance of Historical Context:

   • Mickens stresses the importance of learning from historical examples, citing instances where biases have crept into algorithms, leading to unfair outcomes in risk assessment and facial recognition.

7. Critique of Technological Manifest Destiny:

   • He critiques the tech industry's detachment from the societal impacts of technology, questioning the assumptions of technological manifest destiny and the rapid deployment of new technologies without considering their implications.

8. Addressing IoT Security:

   • Mickens humorously dismisses the state of IoT security, highlighting the need for basic security practices like firewall protection and encryption to secure IoT devices.

9. Advice on Skepticism:

   • He concludes by advising the audience to approach technology deployment with skepticism, emphasizing the importance of thinking critically and considering the broader implications of technological advancements.

10. Q&A Session:

    • The speech ends with a brief Q&A session where Mickens engages with the audience, providing insightful and humorous responses to questions.

Summary:

James Mickens' keynote speech offers a blend of humor and insightful critique of the tech industry, focusing on the challenges and implications of technology deployment in various domains. By emphasizing skepticism, historical context, and the need for thoughtful consideration of technological advancements, Mickens encourages the audience to approach technology with a critical mindset to address prevalent issues in the field.