Technology

The increasing reliance on artificial intelligence to manage critical infrastructure presents a growing risk, with a new report from Gartner predicting that misconfigured AI could shut down national critical infrastructure in a G20 country by 2028. This isn’t a scenario involving malicious actors, but rather a failure stemming from the complexities of AI systems operating within cyber-physical systems (CPS).

Gartner defines CPS as “engineered systems that orchestrate sensing, computation, control, networking and analytics to interact with the physical world (including humans).” This broad category encompasses operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), industrial automation and control systems (IACS), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), robots, drones, and Industry 4.0 technologies. The core concern isn’t AI “hallucinations” or deliberate attacks, but the potential for these systems to miss subtle changes that experienced human operators would readily identify, leading to cascading failures.

The rapid adoption of AI in these systems is accelerating the risk. Operators are increasingly granting machine learning systems the authority to make real-time decisions. While this offers efficiency gains, it also introduces vulnerabilities. A seemingly minor alteration in settings, a flawed software update, or even inaccurate data input can trigger unpredictable responses with potentially devastating consequences, Gartner warns. Unlike traditional software bugs that might crash a server, errors in AI-driven control systems can directly impact the physical world, causing equipment failures, forcing shutdowns, or destabilizing entire supply chains.

The Challenge of Subtle Changes

The Gartner report highlights a critical difference between AI and human oversight. Experienced operational managers develop an intuitive understanding of system behavior and can detect anomalies that might escape the notice of an AI. “The next great infrastructure failure may not be caused by hackers or natural disasters but rather by a well-intentioned engineer, a flawed update script, or a misplaced decimal,” cautioned Wam Voster, VP Analyst at Gartner, in the report. This underscores the importance of robust testing and validation procedures as AI takes on more responsibility for critical infrastructure management.

The issue extends beyond simply preventing errors. it’s about ensuring AI systems can adapt to changing conditions and unexpected events. Critical infrastructure is rarely static. Maintenance, upgrades, and even seasonal variations can introduce subtle shifts in system behavior. An AI trained on a specific dataset might struggle to interpret these changes correctly, leading to incorrect decisions. This is particularly concerning in complex systems where the interplay between different components is not fully understood.

Nozomi Networks Leads in AI-Powered OT Security

As AI integration into CPS expands, the need for robust cybersecurity measures is paramount. Nozomi Networks has emerged as a leader in AI-native operational technology (OT) security, according to a December 2025 Gartner report on AI Vendor Races. Gartner noted that Nozomi’s early investment in embedding machine learning capabilities into its CPS security product, starting in 2013, has given it a significant operational advantage in enabling AI to support CPS discovery, analysis, and alerting capabilities (Nozomi Networks). The company’s AI engine utilizes various techniques to enrich asset profiles, establish baseline behavior, and provide actionable insights for complex cyber-physical systems across sectors like energy, manufacturing, and transportation.

Implications for CIOs and Infrastructure Operators

The Gartner report serves as a wake-up call for CIOs and infrastructure operators. A proactive approach to AI risk management is essential. This includes implementing rigorous testing and validation procedures, developing robust monitoring systems, and ensuring that human operators retain the ability to override AI decisions when necessary. Organizations need to invest in training programs to equip their workforce with the skills needed to understand and manage AI-driven systems. The focus must shift from simply deploying AI to ensuring its safe and reliable operation within complex critical infrastructure environments.

The potential for widespread disruption is significant. Gartner predicts that by 2028, misconfigured AI in cyber physical systems will shut down national critical infrastructure in a G20 country (Gartner). This isn’t a distant threat; it’s a rapidly approaching reality that demands immediate attention. As AI continues to permeate critical infrastructure, the focus must be on building resilience and mitigating the risks associated with these powerful, yet potentially fragile, systems.

Looking ahead, the development of industry standards and regulatory frameworks for AI in CPS will be crucial. Establishing clear guidelines for testing, validation, and monitoring will help to ensure the safe and reliable deployment of AI in critical infrastructure. Continued research into explainable AI (XAI) – AI systems that can provide clear explanations for their decisions – will also be essential for building trust and accountability. The conversation around AI safety needs to move beyond hypothetical risks and focus on the practical challenges of deploying these technologies in the real world.

What are your thoughts on the increasing role of AI in critical infrastructure? Share your insights and concerns in the comments below.

The ethereal dance of the aurora borealis, too known as the Northern Lights, has captivated humanity for centuries. Now, NASA is taking a deeper dive into the science behind this spectacular phenomenon, launching a series of rocket missions from Alaska to study the complex electrical circuitry that powers these displays. These missions aim to improve our understanding of space weather and its potential impact on technology both in space and on Earth.

Two sounding rockets were launched from the Poker Flat Research Range near Fairbanks, Alaska, on February 9th and 10th, initiating a unique investigation into the aurora’s electrical behavior. The research focuses on understanding how energy from the sun interacts with Earth’s atmosphere, creating the vibrant light shows and, crucially, the electrical currents that flow within them. This research is particularly important as these currents are linked to geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt satellite operations, power grids and communication systems.

One of the missions, the Black and Diffuse Auroral Science Surveyor (BADASS), launched in the early morning of February 9th, reaching an altitude of 224 miles (360 km) before returning to Earth. According to mission principal investigator Marilia Samara, the mission proceeded as planned, with scientific instruments returning high-quality data to study “black auroras” – a peculiar event where electrons are propelled upwards into space rather than towards our planet. Space.com reports that this data will help scientists understand the reversal of electron streams that cause these unusual auroras.

The second mission, the Geophysical Non-Equilibrium Ionospheric System Science (GNEISS) mission – pronounced “nice” – employed a pair of rockets launched back-to-back on February 10th, reaching peak altitudes of 198 miles (319 km) each. GNEISS aims to create a three-dimensional “CT scan” of the electrical currents flowing within the northern lights. Kristina Lynch, the GNEISS principal investigator and a Dartmouth College professor, explained in a NASA statement, “We want to know how the current spreads downward through the atmosphere.”

Mapping the Aurora’s Electrical Flow

The GNEISS mission utilizes a network of ground receivers in conjunction with the data collected by the rockets to build a comprehensive picture of the aurora’s electrical environment. Lynch likened the process to performing a “CT scan of the plasma beneath the aurora,” allowing researchers to visualize the complex interplay of charged particles. This detailed mapping is crucial for understanding how auroral substorms – disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere – affect the upper atmosphere.

Understanding these processes isn’t merely an academic exercise. Auroras are intrinsically linked to geomagnetic storms, which can have significant consequences for our increasingly technology-dependent world. These storms can disrupt satellite functionality, posing risks to communication, navigation, and weather forecasting systems. They also present a hazard to astronauts in space and can even induce power outages and interfere with radio transmissions on Earth. Fox Weather highlights the importance of this research in mitigating these risks.

The AWESOME Mission and Previous Research

These recent launches build upon previous work conducted at the Poker Flat Research Range. In March 2025, NASA completed the AWESOME mission, which involved launching three rockets to study the impact of auroral substorms on the upper atmosphere. Although one of the rockets experienced an issue with its tracer release system, the mission still yielded valuable data. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute reported that the vapor trail, despite the issue, was still usable and likely met mission success criteria.

The ongoing research into auroral electrical circuits represents a significant step forward in our understanding of space weather and its potential effects on Earth. By employing innovative techniques like the “CT scan” approach of the GNEISS mission, scientists are gaining unprecedented insights into the complex processes that govern these mesmerizing displays. As our reliance on space-based technologies continues to grow, this research will become increasingly vital for protecting our infrastructure and ensuring the continued functionality of essential services.

The data collected from these missions will be analyzed in the coming months, and researchers anticipate publishing their findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Further missions and continued monitoring of auroral activity are planned to refine our understanding and improve space weather forecasting capabilities. What comes next will be a deeper analysis of the data, and hopefully, a more accurate model of the aurora’s electrical behavior.

What are your thoughts on NASA’s aurora research? Share your comments below and let us know what aspects of space weather you find most fascinating.