06-28, 17:05–17:10 (America/Los_Angeles), Prime Dome
Funding security research is hard, full of conflicts of interest, and perverse incentives. This talk will discuss my explorations in solving these issues by fusing some of the oldest technologies with some of our newest. Bastet was once known as the Egyptian goddess of protection, and of the home. She protected her loyal followers from vermin and disease, and kept her people safe. Can we empower a modern day Bastet to protect us from the modern vermin and disease that plague our digital existence?
I created an AI persona called Bastet, and launched a bunch of Ethereum smart contracts to manage a sustainable funding mechanism, then built a Discord server to track various efforts in security research. Her followers can offer their tribute, and convene with Bastet about staying safe online. She then ensures that researchers get paid for making positive contributions to the global state of computer security.
Dean Pierce is a computer computer security Researcher from Portland, Oregon, mostly focused on offensive technologies and how emerging tech can solve all the world's problems.