Blackberry’s AI Robo-hacker gets to work finding bugs in connected cars code
As more products become reliant on software to function, and as programs get increasingly complex, human developers are finding it increasingly difficult to find and patch all the bugs and vulnerabilities.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2018) 'Blackberry’s AI Robo-hacker gets to work finding bugs in connected cars code', 311 Institute, 15 March. Available at: https://www.fanaticalfuturist.com/2018/03/blackberrys-ai-robo-hacker-gets-to-work-finding-bugs-in-self-driving-car-code/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
As cars, especially self-driving ones, become more reliant on software it's critical automakers can make their code as secure as possible. While I’ve seen a few Robo-hacker companies now, companies who use advanced, autonomous and incredibly fast Artificial Intelligence (AI) “hackers” to scan and patch code, take on botnets, and protect critical systems, including the US Pentagon’s own critical systems, that are now, ironically, protected by an autonomous Robo-hacker called Mayhem, it's somewhat surprising to find Blackberry entering the fray.
At a keynote during the North American International Automotive Show (NAIAS) the other day the company's CEO John Chen announced a new cloud based security tool called Jarvis that can scan the complex software required for modern connected and autonomous cars.
Jarvis in action
According to Chen’s description Jarvis scans automotive binary code to identify security vulnerabilities in the software used in modern and upcoming cars, much of which is written by third party suppliers like Nvidia whose own self-driving software, DAVE 2.0, which is based on a neural network, was recently itself found to have a catastrophic bug. Among Chen’s claims he says Jarvis can scan and deliver insights in minutes, reducing the time in one case study from more than 30 days to just 7 minutes.
"Connected and autonomous vehicles require some of the most complex software ever developed," said Chen, "creating a significant challenge for automakers who must ensure the code complies with industry and manufacturer specific standards while simultaneously battle hardening a very large and tempting attack surface for cybercriminals."
Once a car company signs up for Jarvis, it can be customised for their own needs across their entire software supply chain, letting them scan files for problems at all stages of a cars development, and while Blackberry is initially targeting automakers, Jarvis could help many other industries, scanning the complex software behind aerospace and military defense projects, healthcare, and industrial automation, for example, so watch this space.
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Why does this matter?
As more products become reliant on software to function, and as programs get increasingly complex, human developers are finding it increasingly difficult to find and patch all the bugs and vulnerabilities.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 15 March 2018. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2018). Blackberry’s AI Robo-hacker gets to work finding bugs in connected cars code. 311 Institute. https://www.fanaticalfuturist.com/2018/03/blackberrys-ai-robo-hacker-gets-to-work-finding-bugs-in-self-driving-car-code/
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