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Challenges in the uptake of artificial intelligence in autonomous driving

Autonomous driving technologies will gain importance by new generations of cars in the next years. Although the new technologies correct previous human driving errors digitally, new safety risks arise with autonomous driving. In this context, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has published a report which deals with cybersecurity risks in connection to artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles and provides recommendations for mitigating.

First there are challenges to the system that do not exist through human intervention. For example, the weather can make it difficult for the systems to capture the signs. In addition, malfunctions of the systems are possible. Further unintentional malfunctions, deliberate interventions can also endanger safety. Here it is possible, that the road surface is painted or stop signs are pasted, which can lead to an incorrect assessment of the road traffic situation.

It is therefore important, especially in the European context, to master these challenges. As EU Agency for Cybersecurity Executive Director Juhan Lepassaar said “when an insecure autonomous vehicle crosses the border of an EU Member State, so do its vulnerabilities. Security should not come as an afterthought, but should instead be a prerequisite for the trustworthy and reliable deployment of vehicles on Europe’s roads”.

To guarantee the highest possible level of security, the report makes recommendations for the implementation of autonomous driving. One is to carry out security controls over the entire life cycle. This should help to ensure, that the construction behaves correctly in unexpected situations. Another recommendation is to carry out continuous risk assessment processes supported by threat intelligence. This could enable the identification of potential artificial intelligence risks and emerging threats related to the uptake of artificial intelligence in autonomous driving.

In the end, it is not possible to be devoted to all dangers by autonomic driving, but also human behaviour is prone to error. The aim should be to ensure the highest possible level of security, also by crossing European borders.

You can read more and find the report at: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/news/cybersecurity-challenges-uptake-artificial-intelligence-autonomous-driving