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Zero Knowledge VM Hijinks

A series of talks delivered across 2023 bringing awareness of Zero Knowledge technologies to different communities, each tailored to the audience's interests and concerns.

The Series

This research thread explores Zero Knowledge Execution Environments—computing systems where provers can execute arbitrary programs and prove correct execution to verifiers without revealing private inputs or outputs.

Audience-Specific Focus

  • ETH Portland (August 2023): Focused on the asymmetric unlock of compute power for blockchain scaling, positioning ZK technology as the path to Ethereum's original vision of a "World Computer"

  • BSides Portland (October 2023): Emphasized security and privacy applications for the infosec community, particularly Zero Knowledge Proof of Exploitability for automated bug triage and private bug markets

  • Hushcon Seattle (December 2023): Explored automated bug markets, self-healing software supply chains, and addressed security community concerns about ZK ransomware scenarios

Core Themes

Across all presentations, the talks explore: - The evolution from Zero Knowledge Proofs through Gadgets and Circuits to full Virtual Machines - Privacy-preserving identity systems and governance mechanisms - Blockchain scaling through ZK rollups and ZkEVM - Proof of Exploitability: proving software vulnerabilities without disclosing exploit details - Economic models for decentralized security research and vulnerability markets - The inevitability and implications of ZK technology for both offensive and defensive security

Use the navigation links to explore each individual talk with detailed highlights and slides.