Cybersecurity is one of the defining challenges of our digital age. From ransomware attacks to foreign interference in elections, the threats are evolving faster than most organizations can respond. For Dr. Benjamin Fung, Canada Research Chair in Data Mining and Cybersecurity at McGill University, artificial intelligence is not just a tool for defending against these threats – it’s Canada’s best chance to stay secure and competitive in a rapidly changing world.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Fung has pioneered the use of AI to solve pressing cybersecurity problems. His work helps organizations identify vulnerabilities in their systems, analyze malware and detect foreign interference online.
“We’re trying to invent new AI methods to improve the national security of Canada,” he explains. “That means understanding the vulnerabilities in our systems, how malware is created and how disinformation spreads through social networks.”
Finding Hidden Vulnerabilities and Detecting Misinformation
One stream of Dr. Fung’s research focuses on software vulnerabilities. When a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) learns about a new threat, they often don’t know whether their organization is exposed. Fung’s team uses AI to “read” binary files in enterprise systems and reveal the hidden ingredients of the software – the libraries and code components that could contain weaknesses. This intelligence allows organizations to assess risk and take action before damage is done.
Another area of his research uses AI to analyze malware. Traditionally, reverse-engineering a virus to understand its behaviour could take days. With Fung’s AI-driven tools, the same analysis takes minutes, helping organizations respond to attacks faster and get back online sooner. His lab has also developed methods to track misinformation and detect social media bots, especially AI bots that spread disinformation across multiple layers of networks, making them far harder to catch than human-run accounts. These tools are already being tested with partners such as Canada’s Department of National Defence and companies like BlackBerry.
Infrastructure for Sovereignty
All of this work depends on compute power at scale. AI models that analyze software vulnerabilities, detect malware patterns or evaluate disinformation campaigns require massive, secure processing capacity.
“AI compute power is becoming a measure of a country’s sovereignty,” says Fung. “The Alliance already provides the basic infrastructure, expertise and networks to support high-performance computing in Canada. Building on this foundation with further investment is the logical next step if we want to compete with the G20.”
Supporting the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Leaders
Dr. Fung is a member of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada’s (The Alliance) Researcher Council. The Alliance is bringing together researchers and industry to champion a national, sovereign data platform and expanded AI compute infrastructure. This digital backbone is essential to powering Canadian research, discovery and innovation.
Dr. Fung’s work illustrates the transformative potential of AI compute in safeguarding Canada’s digital future. Without robust, secure, Canadian AI compute, research that protects our institutions, strengthens cybersecurity and defends against foreign interference risks being slowed, underfunded or reliant on foreign infrastructure where sovereignty and security cannot be guaranteed. With it, Canada can accelerate innovations that protect our economy, safeguard critical infrastructure and train the next generation of AI and cybersecurity leaders.
Nation-Building Takes Digital Backbone.
Like other critical public infrastructure, a national data platform and scaled-up AI compute capacity would unlock vital benefits across sectors and society.
Through the Government of Canada’s Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program, we have a generational opportunity to make this investment. By ensuring equitable access to scaled-up, public and sovereign AI infrastructure, we can help accelerate world-leading research like Dr. Fung’s—while safeguarding Canadian values, protecting national security and strengthening our nation’s global competitiveness.
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