AIxCC Semifinal Experience

As threat actors continue to exploit software vulnerabilities with increasingly sophisticated attacks, the urgency around automated and scalable vulnerability discovery and remediation has also escalated. To help raise awareness and drive urgency, the AIxCC organizers constructed a futuristic, fictional city called Northbridge that brought the AIxCC Semifinal Competition to life and showcased AI-driven cybersecurity’s importance in protecting critical infrastructure.

The City of Northbridge made its debut at the AIxCC Village at DEF CON 32 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attendees engaged with AIxCC organizers and collaborators, while Kiti revealed the vulnerability discovery and patching capabilities of the Semifinal teams’ CRSs. DEF CON attendees, ranging from software developers to policymakers, boarded the train to Northbridge as their host, Kiti, called upon the Cyber Collective to remain vigilant amidst cyberattacks.

A “street view” of the fictional city of Northbridge that featured the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Competition at DEF CON 32. A list of competing teams is projected on the back scoreboard wall, and kiosks enabling attendees to interact with projected educational content line the street.

A “street view” of the fictional city of Northbridge that featured the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Competition at DEF CON 32.

A view of one side of the “street” in the fictional city of Northbridge that featured the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Competition at DEF CON 32. A projection provides attendees with a high-level view of water system infrastructure security risks and what can be done to address them.

Over the course of three days, Kiti guided more than 14,000 attendees through simulated cyberattacks on Northbridge’s critical infrastructure, enlisting help from participants as cybercriminal “The_Rat” targeted hospitals and water systems. Attendees engaged with representatives from the team of AIxCC organizers and collaborators, while Kiti revealed the vulnerability discovery and patching capabilities of the Semifinal teams’ CRSs. The urgency and relevance of competitor CRSs became clearer as these systems defended the city’s infrastructure against a dynamic threat landscape.

AIxCC Experience Videos

Learn more about why we brought an immersive educational and competition environment to DEF CON 32 to engage DEF CON attendees in the stakes of advancing AI tools to secure our critical infrastructure.

Medical Narrative
The AIxCC Stage at DEF CON 32 showcased a steady stream of cutting-edge cybersecurity, AI, and critical infrastructure experts. Explore the ASC Stage Playlist to catch up on the talks you missed.

Water Narrative
Watch what happened when The_Rat hacked into Northbridge’s wastewater system, and how AI-driven cybersecurity tools can stop bad actors like The_Rat in their tracks.

Stage Talks

The AIxCC Stage at DEF CON 32 showcased a steady stream of cutting-edge industry and government cybersecurity, AI and critical infrastructure experts. Explore the ASC Stage Playlist to catch up on the talks you missed.

Closing the Software Vulnerability Gap

Director of DARPA’s Information and Innovation Office Dr. Kathleen Fisher emphasizes the importance of addressing technical debt in cybersecurity, highlighting DARPA’s initiatives to advance AI and build secure, resilient systems.

Photo Gallery

Check out the AIxCC photo gallery to virtually tour the City of Northbridge–the futuristic city that brought the AIxCC Semifinal Competition to life!

To download any of the images below, follow these steps:

Right-click the image, and select “Save image as”.
Or click an image, in the top right, click the Share button, and select “Download image”.

By using any of the images below, you are acknowledging the following:

All image credits must be assigned to “DARPA/Alberto Villalobos”.
All photographs are subject to DARPA’s Usage Policy, which can be found on the DARPA website.

A view of the entrance to the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Experience at DEF CON 32 where attendees boarded “trains” that introduced them to the AI Cyber Challenge, the fictional city of Northbridge, and what to expect once inside.

Image Credit: DARPA/Alberto Villalobos

Entrance to the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Experience at DEF CON 32.

Image Credit: DARPA/Alberto Villalobos

Inside the “trains” with screens that featured video content introducing attendees to the AI Cyber Challenge, the fictional city of Northbridge, and what to expect once inside.

Image Credit: DARPA/Alberto Villalobos

A “street view” of the fictional city of Northbridge that featured the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Competition at DEF CON 32.

Image Credit: DARPA/Alberto Villalobos

A “street view” of the fictional city of Northbridge that featured the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Competition at DEF CON 32. A list of competing teams is projected on the back scoreboard wall, and kiosks enabling attendees to interact with projected educational content line the street.

Image Credit: DARPA/Alberto Villalobos

A view of one side of the “street” in the fictional city of Northbridge that featured the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge Semifinal Competition at DEF CON 32. A projection provides attendees with a high-level view of water system infrastructure security risks and what can be done to address them.

Image Credit: DARPA/Alberto Villalobos