Used AI to examine a strange obfuscated file in a piece of (paid) hosted software I use. I’m not very happy about obfuscated code on my own server - who knows what it’s doing - but I didn’t really know how to find out.

First time I’ve actually found AI useful - it told me a little about what the file did: it checks that I have a licence by sending my details to a server somewhere, and does so every time a page loads or a script runs. It also hides a number of functions used by the tool.

From that, it wasn’t particularly difficult to find a pirated version of the software in which this file has removed this licence check (and is no longer obfuscated). I’m now using that file, to no ill effects.

I think this is legally dubious in the US under the DMCA, where you’re not allowed to remove copy protection from a thing you have paid for; but luckily not so a) where the server is physically, or b) where my own company is based.

Finally, then, AI has finally been useful. Whatever next?