Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College

Artificial intelligence curriculum is becoming more widely available as the demand for trained professionals grows — and Rhode Island College is leading the way. The Institute's AI architect, Dr. Timothy Henry, designed the first bachelor's degree program in artificial intelligence in the state, and now he's preparing his students for the 21st century workforce. Catch up on WPRI-TV's coverage for more.

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we're celebrating the women who have shaped tech and AI. Here are two of the first pioneers in computer science: ?? Ada Lovelace, widely considered the mother of artificial intelligence and machine learning, was the first person to write an algorithm. ?? Grace Hopper helped design one of the first computer programming languages. From hidden figures to storied standouts, women have long been tech trailblazers, yet are still underrepresented in this industry. Keep an eye out this month as we continue to shine a spotlight on the great women who helped build our future. Who inspires you? Let us know in the comments.

The Institute's Distinguished Chair Jim Langevin spoke with Boston Globe Media's Edward Fitzpatrick about the importance of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and election security, cybersecurity best practices and how the Institute's new cyber range will help to upskill employees at local businesses and nonprofits. They covered a lot of ground, so you won't want to miss this interview. Check out this week's Rhode Island Report below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://lnkd.in/easrKAng

The talk is open to the public and accessible to anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of GenAI and its applications.

?? You're invited to our FREE New England Cybersecurity Professionals Meetup on April 1, 2025 from 6-8 PM in Gaige 200 on the campus of Rhode Island College. Whether you're a seasoned cybersecurity expert or just starting out in the field, this event is perfect for anyone looking to connect with like-minded professionals in the industry. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from and meet experts in the fields of Cybersecurity and hacking, get exposed to new technologies, and expand your professional network. Tickets have been selling out recently, so register on Eventbrite now. The April event will feature some new activities and formats to encourage mingling and information sharing - we hope to see you there! Note: You're welcome to RSVP here in LinkedIn, but please be sure to use the Eventbrite link to snag an actual ticket. ?? ??

We had another great networking event this week! Thanks to the dozens of students and cyber professionals who joined us for trivia about the Dark Web and an ad-hoc, insightful panel discussion on the state of government cybersecurity programs with Brian Tardiff and Stephen Piper, Sr. State Executive with IBM. Our New England Cybersecurity Professionals community is constantly growing, and we'd love to see you there! Join us for our next get-together on Tuesday, April 1st. Register for your free ticket: https://lnkd.in/eakjam8T

The Institute sends a warm congratulations to the students who participated in this semester's signing event, where they pledged to dedicate their cybersecurity skills to defending against threats in cyberspace. In an rapidly-evolving cybersecurity landscape, this commitment is more important today than it's ever been. There are more than half a million open cybersecurity roles available across the United States in nearly every sector of the economy, and we're preparing our students to take them on. We are confident that you all have bright futures ahead of you!

Institute Director Douglas A. took to the State House earlier this week to present to the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, emphasizing that cybersecurity is a human and resource issue, advocating for stronger training and vendor oversight and highlighting real-world threats to election infrastructure and critical sectors. The Institute team looks forward to collaborating with the committee chair, Sen. Victoria Gu, and the rest of the committee as they begin their work.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we're celebrating the brilliant women who run, contribute to and support our computer science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence programs — and to the generations of trailblazing women who came before them and make our work possible. #WomenInScience