From cybersecurity to circuits: IMSE activities at the European Researchers' Night

The Instituto de Microelectrónica de Sevilla connected with the public through two activities that combined entertainment and scientific learning, bringing microelectronics and cybersecurity closer together in an interactive and participatory manner

Last Friday, September 26th, the European Researchers' Night took place, an annual scientific event organized by the European Commission that seeks to bring research closer to citizens in a practical yet fun way. This fourteenth edition, held simultaneously in almost 400 European cities with around 1,000 activities, was once again dedicated to EU missions that will contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal, the European Plan to Fight Cancer, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

On this occasion, the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Sevilla participated with two activities. First, in the Caixa Fórum auditorium, researchers Eros Camacho and Fran Rubio gave a talk entitled "Is Cybersecurity Threatened by Artificial Intelligence?" where they discussed the effectiveness of AI in attacks against current information systems. Through a final round of questions, attendees showed great interest in learning how these new tools challenge traditional security systems and open the door to the need to rethink more robust and adaptive protection strategies.

At another point in the city, at the House of Science, a second group consisting of José Miguel Mora, Erica Tena, and Eugenio Potestad carried out the activity "Hey! Have you seen the inside of a circuit?" There, a young audience was able to discover the design process of an integrated circuit in a fun way: playing, experimenting with their own hands, and observing the interior of the circuits up close through microscopes. This workshop served to present the integrated circuit design process, as well as the great importance of microelectronics in our society.

Both activities reflect IMSE's commitment to scientific dissemination, bringing cutting-edge research to diverse audiences and showcasing the impact that microelectronics and cybersecurity have on everyday life and the technological challenges of the future.