Fujitsu Limited and BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), have signed a three-year comprehensive joint research agreement to develop technologies and solutions to contribute to the realization of safe, real-world applications of AI and machine learning technologies. The newly-established “Fujitsu Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Israel” (Fujitsu CCoE IL) hosts a team of approximately 20 researchers including Prof. Yuval Elovici and Prof. Asaf Shabtai. The lab is headed by Prof. Elovici, Department of Information Systems Engineering and Head of BGU’s Cyber Security Research Center located at the Cyber@BGU labs in the advanced technology park at the university’s campus in Israel.

With this initiative, Fujitsu and Ben-Gurion University aim to accelerate joint research and development into technologies that offer solutions to threats posed to AI models and machine learning, improving the trustworthiness and security of AI-based systems and software that increasingly impact our daily lives.

Vivek Mahajan, Chief Technology Officer of Fujitsu Limited commented, “We are delighted to collaborate with Ben-Gurion University, which boasts world-class software development capabilities in the security field. I’m confident that the establishment of the Fujitsu CCoE IL will yield a variety of promising new security technologies for AI, and I look forward to a fruitful partnership with Ben-Gurion University as we work in tandem to resolve some of the challenges facing our increasingly digitized society.”

Prof. Yuval Elovici, said, “We are excited to enhance our collaboration with Fujitsu, a world-leading information and communications technology company. Together we can make systems that are based on AI more robust to attacks that focus on the AI component.”

“This joint strategic research collaboration is a testament to Ben-Gurion University’s leadership in the cybersecurity space,” added Josh Peleg, CEO, BGN Technologies. “The multi-year collaboration will improve AI security and help create a safer world while strengthening t

he University’s positioning as a global player in the AI, machine learning and cybersecurity arenas.”