Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape, creating new threats while also giving professionals more sophisticated tools to defend against them.
At 亚色视频, that transformation is creating new opportunities for students.
The University is among the first in the nation to offer the National Science Foundation鈥檚 CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service, a program that combines scholarships, professional development and hands-on experiences to prepare students for careers at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
The program builds on expertise 亚色视频 has been developing for years in both fields.
鈥淲e leverage a mature curriculum, having offered dedicated courses at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity for over five years 鈥 long before tools like ChatGPT were popularized in the field,鈥 said Daniel Takabi, Ph.D., director of the School of Cybersecurity and Batten Endowed Chair in Cybersecurity. 鈥淭his historic inaugural cohort includes students at different levels, from community college transferees all the way to students enrolled in our newly launched Ph.D. program.鈥
Following graduation, scholarship recipients will enter government service, putting their cybersecurity expertise to work in support of their communities and the nation.
鈥淚 have a real passion for helping people, and that鈥檚 what made me want to pursue cybersecurity,鈥 said Cameron Staples, a senior in cybersecurity. 鈥淚t鈥檚 being able to help people protect themselves, and this program helps me feel like I鈥檓 making a difference by being able to help people through the public sector.鈥
For Staples, the scholarship has made graduate school a more realistic possibility. After learning about the program, he realized a master's degree in AI for cybersecurity could be financially within reach. He was also drawn to the internship and networking opportunities that could help him build a career in the field.
Located near military installations, a major maritime industry and federal research centers, 亚色视频 offers students opportunities to gain hands-on experience through partnerships with government agencies and industry organizations.
鈥淭he way 亚色视频 is, there鈥檚 always something going on in which you can connect with someone from a government agency, whether it鈥檚 big or small,鈥 said Jadirah Myricks, a junior in cybersecurity with a concentration in AI. 鈥淚t gives you that connection that you need but would probably not get anywhere else.鈥
The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service program emphasizes hands-on learning experiences to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity and AI.
Internships, research, competitions and community outreach give students opportunities to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom and gain real-world experience.
鈥淎t the Interdisciplinary Schools, we are focused on addressing the evolving issues of today and the future,鈥 said Khan Iftekharuddin, Ph.D., dean of the Interdisciplinary Schools. 鈥淭he CyberAICorps program is creating opportunities for our cybersecurity students, especially as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are changing the field at a rapid pace, helping to solve the current and new challenges. Through research, applied learning, internships and professional development, this program will help these students prepare for an evolving workforce and meet the needs of their communities and the nation.鈥
This year鈥檚 scholarship recipients are:
- Antonio Shields: M.S. in AI security
- Cameron Staples: B.S. in cybersecurity, M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Favour Agho: M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jadirah Myricks: B.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jared Williams: B.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jessiah Davis: B.S. in AI for cybersecurity, M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jonathan Roberts: M.S. in AI security
- Mathieu Crosby: M.S. in AI security
- Nathaniel Bradley: M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Reema Chakma: M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Wilondja Jacob: Ph.D. in cybersecurity
Learn more about the program and upcoming application dates on the School of Cybersecurity website.