The Future of Embedded Systems and AI: AI in Embedded Systems

Cybersecurity Challenges and Opportunities in a Smarter World

- By Pete Popov, CEO, Konsulko Group

FIGURE 1 The medical industry is one sector that is heavily investing in AI.

The combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and embedded systems is transforming the way the world interacts with technology.

From smart cars and industrial automation to medical devices and intelligent home appliances, embedded systems have evolved from performing basic tasks into powerful, AI-enabled machines capable of learning, adapting, and making decisions in real-time.

However, with the introduction of AI comes an increase in potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities that must be addressed. Embedded systems combine hardware and software components, making them inherently vulnerable to attacks on both fronts.

Tech companies like NVIDIA have pioneered AI capabilities in embedded systems, and their hardware accelerates how AI can be used in everyday devices. However, this also brings heightened concerns over cybersecurity as cybercriminals continually seek ways to exploit vulnerabilities.

Yet, businesses can leverage AI to safeguard these systems and build more resilient, secure products. Here I discuss how developers can protect AI-enabled embedded systems and address the security challenges posed by the combination of AI and internet- connected devices.

AI-DRIVEN VULNERABILITIES IN EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

The integration of AI into embedded systems can introduce new security vulnerabilities. Embedded systems are often vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their constrained resources, physical accessibility, and long deployment lifecycles all of which can expose multiple points of attack.

The embedded security market has also grown significantly, with one report estimating that it will be worth nearly $10 billion by 2028. As these systems become more prevalent, there will be an increase in cybercriminals planning to take advantage of any vulnerabilities in these systems.