AI code tools are transforming software safety by converting C and C++ to Rust, and could save billions in potential cyberattack costs.

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The Great Refactor initiative aims to use AI-powered tools to automatically convert 100 million lines of vulnerable C/C++ code in critical open-source libraries into memory-safe Rust by 2030. Memory safety issues account for roughly 70% of software vulnerabilities, and while manual conversion requires thousands of hours, modern AI coding tools can now reliably translate programs up to 5,000 lines with oversight. DARPA's TRACTOR program is exploring hybrid approaches combining AI with classical code analysis. Key challenges include ensuring the translated code is maintainable by humans, the limited pool of Rust experts, and securing $100 million in government or private funding.

AI Code Transforms C to Rust for Safer Software

Using AI to translate code into a language that, due to language differences, usually requires different code paths and approaches to C. What could possibly go wrong?

AI result is non deterministic. The same question will not generate the 2 same answers by AI. This is why this idea is not a good approach to solve the problem.

really bad choice, to use AI to translate code… code smelling, lack of architecture…

Rust expertise and funding hurdles remain the same.

why would you transfer a c code to rust. rust is the most complex language ever