Amir Gefen (PhD)

In Hebrew we say "gam zu l'tov," this too is for blessing. We try to find some good or a lesson in anything we face. I'm not sharing the following for sympathy or concern, but instead as a lesson. Some time ago I began to experience a set of symptoms in my right arm:  Weakness, fatigue, pain, a loss of strength, and my hand began to atrophy. The symptoms slowly worsened. Occasionally, picking up my cuppa tea felt like an intense workout, and a handshake could be excruciatingly painful. I then began to experience mild symptoms in my left arm, and thus knew it was time - past time - to consult my doctor. My doctor found that the spaces between my neck vertebrae have compressed, and there is constant pressure on the nerve fibers exiting between those spaces. Fortunately there exists a range of treatment options. I will now work with my medical team to determine the next steps towards restoring full function. Where I want to focus your attention is on the root cause. I've had a 40+ year career in tech. I frequently spend well over 10 hours per day, six days per week, hunched over a computer. There is always another task, another incoming ping, another person or project in need, and during all of that: My posture is terrible. We spend more time with tech than in ages past. We hunch over our desktops, laptops, and other devices. There are several studies on the negative impact poor posture has on us over time. I'll point out this study-based set of recommendations from Princeton University as one example worth your time: Ergonomics & Computer Use Princeton University Health Services https://lnkd.in/dHaYzYkZ I am blessed to live and work in a walking community, which is something my wife and I love to do. Perhaps your community is less walking-friendly, but please do find a way to get up and move about. Exercise; even a walk is a great workout. Stand up, stretch, and move regularly - I use it as an excuse to find my wife and tell her dad-jokes. :) Join a club and attend meetings, so that you're up and moving and socializing in-person. Ensure that your workstation is ergonomically squared away. You'll thank yourself 25+ years later. As for me, please don't worry, I'll be fine. Assess, adapt, and overcome! I have the world's best teammate (my wife) and we will power through. Shavua Tov (have a great week)!

73

7 תגובות

I was recently interviewed about the dangers of Chinese smart cars. This topic reminds me of a talk I gave in 2014 at RSA San Francisco, alongside the superstar Hila Meller, and at TEDx in Greece (thanks to the amazing Keren Elazari). Both talks were titled "State-Sponsored Spies Inside Facebook." In these talks, I discussed the growing cooperation between commercial entities and their governments. I concluded with this question: Will we teach our children not to download certain apps just because they were developed in an enemy country? Just a few years later, this scenario has become a reality. For example, the U.S. government prohibits its personnel from installing the Chinese TikTok app, citing concerns that it is used by the Chinese government to track people globally. It's easy to vilify China as the "evil giant," but let's not forget that the U.S. has engaged in similar activities. Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA used data from companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple to promote American security and economic interests. And the U.S. is just one example in a long list of countries engaging in such practices. To summarize my RSA and TEDx lectures in one sentence: Nations have both homeland and financial incentives to embed spies in commercial companies like Facebook, Google, and Apple. Years after my lecture, it was discovered that Saudi Arabia had hired three spies inside Twitter to gather information on regime opponents. The Saudi authorities boasted of a new secret weapon against dissenters, claiming that the anonymity of the internet no longer protected them. Surprisingly enough, Saudi Arabia has started building their relationship with the Twitter spies, just 5 months after my talk. I hope my lecture wasn't the inspiration for their actions, though the RSA conference is attended by 30,000 people, and my talk had only about 30 attendees (0.1%). So, the chances are slim. Now, this scenario is repeating itself with smart cars. These vehicles are equipped with countless sensors, including microphones and GPS, transforming what was once a private space into an advanced surveillance system. This poses significant security risks, especially for military and security personnel who might have confidential conversations in their cars. And this is before we even consider the cyber threats, such as car hacking and kidnappings. However, it's essential to remember that the smart car war is primarily an economic one. The American automobile industry accounts for over 3% of the U.S. GDP. The Chinese see the smart electric vehicle revolution as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the industry and aim to be the leading player. They have numerous advantages, such as natural resources, mass production experience, and cheap labor. Moreover, the Chinese government is making it a national goal to dominate this sector, even subsidizing car production to artificially lower prices. The car war is on.

99

4 תגובות

The rise of AI, with tools like Google’s NotebookLM, is driving an incredible shift in how companies create and execute strategies. AI is no longer just about efficiency; it’s reshaping creativity, automating processes, and pushing boundaries in content creation and distribution. Imagine a world where AI handles your entire marketing plan—this is the future unfolding today.

6

1 תגובה

It's truly remarkable how resilient and robust the Israeli high-tech sector has proven to be. Despite enduring nine months of war and political instability, it continues to thrive. According to the IVC report, by the end of Q2/2024, the sector has adjusted to extreme conditions and shown significant growth.

4

The Israeli Conference of AI, Cyber, and IT in Health Systems is just a few days ahead! Will you be there ????? I am more than honored to chair the conference, and will be thrilled to meet you! https://lnkd.in/dgRrezwW #AI #MD #SaMD #HealthSystems

1

NSO Group, which makes Pegasus spyware, keeps trying to extract information from Citizen Lab researchers — and a judge keeps swatting it down. researchers at Citizen Lab have monitored Israeli spyware firm NSO Group and its banner product, Pegasus. In 2019, Citizen Lab reported finding dozens of cases in which Pegasus was used to target the phones of journalists and human rights defenders via a WhatsApp security vulnerability. Now NSO, which is blacklisted by the U.S. government for selling spyware to repressive regimes, is trying to use a lawsuit over the WhatsApp exploit to learn “how Citizen Lab conducted its analysis.” The lawsuit, filed in U.S. federal court in 2019 by WhatsApp and Meta (then Facebook), alleges that NSO sent Pegasus and other malware to approximately 1,400 devices across the globe. For more than four years, NSO has failed repeatedly to get the case thrown out. With the lawsuit now moving forward, NSO is trying a different tactic: demanding repeatedly that Citizen Lab, which is based in Canada, hand over every single document about its Pegasus investigation. A judge denied NSO’s latest attempt to get access to Citizen Lab’s materials last week.

Yesterday, June 17, 2024: The Israeli Center for Quantum Computing - @IQCC - was launched Significant progress in the field of quantum computing in Israel: The Israeli Center for Quantum Computing (IQCC), a research facility that aligns with similar centers in the world, opened yesterday (Monday) with the aim of making quantum computing capabilities accessible to researchers and research and development centers in the country. The center will include three quantum computers and was established and managed by the Israeli company Quantum Machines, which provides control and control systems for quantum computers. This is a world-class research facility that will include three quantum computers and serve the quantum computing community as well as academic research institutes and R&D centers of advanced industries in Israel and around the world. The center was built with a total investment of 100 million Nis. The QM - Quantum Machines company clarified that this is a special center that will provide access to the cloud, in order to provide users with remote access to the computing environment. In addition, the center will offer an advanced testbed equipped of its kind in the world, which will assist in the development of new quantum computing technologies. The company states that the highlight of the innovative facility is the deployment of a unified system for classical quantum computing, which was developed by Quantum Machines and NVIDIA . The system is tightly integrated with a supercomputing cluster consisting of NVIDIA GPU processors, and ARM and AMD processors, all connected to AWS cloud platforms allowing remote access and leveraging additional cloud computing resources. Dr. Itamar Sion, co-founder and CEO of QM: "When we thought about what would move quantum computing forward, we realized that the means was to build the most advanced facility in terms of operational capability, modularity and integration with HPC and with the cloud. Our open architecture approach will ensure that it will be possible to upgrade and expand the The facility continuously to stay at the forefront of technology, which will make it an accelerator of the entire ecosystem in Israel and the world." The global quantum computing market estimate for 2022 was $13.67 billion and is expected to reach a value of $143.44 billion with a compound annual growth rate of 26.5% in 2032. Apart from China, Israel is the country that invests, on average, the largest percentage of the gross domestic product - GDP ( 0.082%) in quantum computing issues.

4

1 תגובה

Recent events brought forward the discussion around offensive cyber and its implications. To me, the strength of the Israeli #cyber echo system was always about the unmatched combination of deep understanding of both the defensive and offensive sides of Cyber security. Dror Kashti is arguably the best person to demonstrate this combination. Bringing it to new heights at Sweet Security . Keep rocking Dror !!💪💪💪 (In the photo below, Dror and myself engaged in deep cyber discussions) #nomatterwhat Glilot Capital Partners

166

8 תגובות

What’s happening with Tenable in Israel? Check out our new LinkedIn and Instagram pages for the latest on events, activities, news and research. LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dVHyU-VG Instagram: @TenableIsrael

2

The Pioneers Behind the AI Revolution: Researchers Shaping Israel's Tech Landscape 🔬 After being immersed in my own work for a couple of weeks, I'm astounded by the rapid pace of AI advancement. It's both exhilarating and humbling, underscoring the critical need to stay updated in this dynamic field. Israel, despite its reputation as a tech giant, faces a growing challenge in attracting and retaining AI talent. 🌍 However, amidst this shortage, a dedicated group of professionals is making significant strides: the AI researchers. These brilliant minds are the driving force behind groundbreaking innovations. They think outside the box, challenge conventional wisdom, and tirelessly conduct experiments to validate cutting-edge solutions. Roni Gurevich from Cycode and Vered Dasa Levy from Autobrains shed light on the unique skills and backgrounds that set researchers apart from developers. It's a distinction that's crucial for companies aiming to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI. Personally, I find the work of these researchers absolutely fascinating. Their ability to marry advanced academic knowledge with practical problem-solving is truly inspiring. It's no wonder that research-focused companies like OpenAI and AI21Labs place such a high value on continuous learning and adaptation. Moreover, the successful implementation of AI solutions relies heavily on the expertise of these researchers, who bridge the gap between theory and practice. 📚 As the demand for AI expertise continues to soar, with McKinsey predicting a 25-29% increase in STEM professionals by 2030, the role of researchers will only become more vital. Organizations that foster a culture of constant learning and innovation will be best positioned to attract and retain these brilliant minds. Furthermore, investing in the training and development of local talent could be a key strategy in addressing the AI skills shortage in Israel. It's an exciting time to be in the field of AI, and the pioneers driving these innovations deserve our recognition and appreciation. Their work not only advances technology but also has the potential to create a positive impact on society. As we witness the rapid evolution of AI and its growing influence on our lives, it becomes increasingly important to understand the people and the passion behind these breakthroughs. https://lnkd.in/gJP58uwg

2

Cyber Attack Market Research 🔎 Understanding Modern Threats - How Cyber 2.0 Tackles New Security Challenges An analysis of the major threats in the market and how we enhance protection levels. 📽️ https://lnkd.in/dsXjNX74 Hertzel Ozer Victor Ruiz Guy Tessler Tatyana Sarel Tatiana Yamin Iana Hefer Asaf Almog Galit Abramov Sapir Sason Guy Dahan srikanth sai Tal Meister #ThreatAnalysis #CyberResearch #Cyber2point0

13

2 תגובות

👋 Stanford University has recently released the "AI Index Report for 2024", which contains some interesting data related to Israel's position in the field of AI. 👉 First, #Israel leads globally in the concentration of human capital with #AI skills, but there is a negative trend of human capital emigration from Israel in this field. 👩‍💻 Second, the report shows that men acquire more AI skills than women, but the status of women in Israel is relatively good compared to other countries in the world. 💰 In terms of AI entrepreneurship, the report reveals that in 2023, 43 new AI companies in Israel received #funding, compared to nearly 900 in the United States. The United States maintains a lead over other countries in the AI race, with Israel ranking fourth in the number of new AI companies funded between 2013 and 2023 (442 companies). 💸 Furthermore, the report asks whether investments in #artificial #intelligence in Israel are sufficient to keep the country competitive globally. In 2023, Israel ranked eighth in the world in terms of private investment in AI, totaling $1.5 billion. However, over the past decade, Israel ranks fourth globally with investments close to $13 billion in AI companies. 🧠 When it comes to developing #machine #learning models, the United States leads the way, but Israel holds a respectable position relative to its size. However, when examining models used for #GenerativeAI capabilities, Israel's position is slightly less favorable. 💡 Finally, the report concludes that artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly improve productivity in Israel in the near future. For more information and selected graphs, you can visit Inbal Orpaz's blog on the website mentioned in the first comment of this post. This is a translated post from the tech channel of Inbal Orpaz: https://t.me/InbalOrpaz

83

5 תגובות

Israel's resilience shines through, ranked #4 in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024. The ability to innovate and excel under challenging conditions is a testament to the spirit of Israeli innovation, deeply ingrained in our DNA. Appreciation to Reichman University and the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship for their vital contribution to our thriving innovation ecosystem.

3

📢 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀! 🚀 I'm thrilled to invite you to the second day of workshops at the upcoming INCOSE Israel 2024 event! Join us on this special day dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation. 🗓️ 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝟔/𝟒/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ⏰ 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 08:30-10:00 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗶 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 🌐 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Register here: Link in the first comment I'll be delivering a lecture on "𝗔𝗜-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆". We’ll explore how integrating AI into radar system design can enhance performance and innovation across various applications. Expect a deep dive into the benefits, challenges, and real-world applications of AI-driven design approaches. 🔍 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁: Radar system design plays a crucial role in determining the performance and effectiveness of radar technology across various applications. With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a growing opportunity to revolutionize radar system design by integrating AI techniques into the design process. This tutorial presentation explores the transformative potential of AI in radar system design, focusing on the benefits, challenges, and practical applications of AI-driven design approaches. Whether you're a professional in the field, a student eager to learn, or simply curious about the future of radar and AI technologies, this workshop is for you! Looking forward to seeing you there! #INCOSEIL2024 #AI #RadarTechnology #SystemDesign #Innovation

16

1 תגובה

In our latest Cybercory.com interview, we dive deep into #The_Dangers_of_Insecure_Cloud_Adoption: #Navigating_Risks_and_Building_Secure_Cloud_Strategies with #cybersecurity expert Armen Avagyan. With over eight years of experience in securing complex IT/OT environments and a focus on cloud security, compliance, and incident response, Armen shares invaluable insights on building a resilient and secure cloud infrastructure. As businesses accelerate their move to the cloud, the risks of insecure adoption are mounting—ranging from #data breaches and misconfigurations to compliance gaps. In this interview, Armen explores these risks and offers expert guidance on: 🔹 Protecting #critical assets in the #cloud 🔹 Avoiding common #security pitfalls 🔹 Implementing robust strategies for a secure #cloud adoption Whether you're in the cloud or planning to be, don’t miss this essential guide to safeguarding your digital assets! 👉 Read the full interview on Cybercory: https://lnkd.in/eiuQ7yDF

2

Key Points The proposed hostage deal for Israel is a strategic risk and a moral and ethical error. The IDF’s withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor would allow Hamas to renew its military buildup. The return of hundreds of thousands of Gazans to the northern part of the Gaza Strip will bring thousands of terrorists with them. They do not need to bring weapons with them, as there are vast stockpiles of weapons in northern Gaza that the IDF has not yet located and destroyed. Statements by senior military officials regarding the IDF’s ability to operate again in these areas as needed are presumptuous and disconnected from reality. To resume fighting, Israel would have to sacrifice the lives of its best soldiers and risk crisis with the US and the international community. Only continued military pressure by Israel can increase the chances that Hamas will bend and might release the remaining hostages. https://lnkd.in/dMgNRPB8

4