Avast to bolster cybersecurity offering with AI and machine learning capabilities

Czech cybersecurity leader Avast has announced the appointment of a new CTO, Michael Pěchouček, who will drive the firm’s further artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning ambitions to fruition.

In its press release announcing the appointment, Avast elaborated on its plans to enhance its cybersecurity offering with additional AI and machine learning capabilities, noting that the flexible, active and autonomous reactions to threats stand to significantly improve defences against complex cyber threats.

Pěchouček is a leading computer science and AI researcher, and joins Avast from the globally reputable Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) where he founded its Artificial Intelligence Centre almost 20 years ago.

"This paves a new way for industry and academia to work together on some of the biggest and most exciting research-based challenges of our time,” said Pěchouček in Avast’s press release.

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“Avast's commitment to funding ongoing and new research in AI and machine learning enables CTU to demonstrate its expertise in these fields, helping attract and retain the best and brightest minds. 

“Avast is recognized as the AI company in the field of cybersecurity, so I'm looking forward to getting started in my new role and together with engineers and scientists from Avast and their colleagues from CTU to further develop AI to help people to be safe on the internet."

Ondrej Vlcek, Avast's CEO, added: "Michal's experience in academia and industry, his ability to connect ideas, people, and resources from different fields, and his track record in leading successful teams make him the ideal fit for our CTO role. 

“One of his core responsibilities will be to further our research in AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity. Michal will also be leading our core technology and R&D teams to support the work of our Threat Labs, and our big data and innovation teams. I am excited to have him and his colleagues join us, helping us to forge a stronger collaboration with academia in this fast-moving field of applied research."