TechFest 2025
AI and Cybersecurity

"Ethical Challenges of AI/ML in Cyber Threats"

Dr. Ray Islam (Mohammad Rubyet Islam) is a recognized leader in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, having held key roles at top global organizations including Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and others. Through his work in academia and teaching at esteemed universities, he effectively bridges the gap between research and real-world application. Dr. Ray has led mission-critical AI and cybersecurity initiatives, overseeing multimillion-dollar programs across the healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, and insurance sectors. His solutions have been developed for and utilized by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, DARPA, the White House, NASA, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Space Force, Capital One Bank, and others. With five academic degrees earned across five countries and leadership of teams spanning three continents, he brings a truly global perspective to innovation. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, focusing on PHM and machine learning for software remaining useful life prediction. He is the author of the book Generative AI, Cyber Security, and Ethics, published by Wiley in 2024. More details here: https://ray-islam.github.io/  

"Deepfakes and Synthetic Reality in Cybersecurity: Blurring the Lines"

Dr. Jeff Crume is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor with more than 40 years of experience in the IT industry. He has a PhD in Cybersecurity and also serves as an Adjunct Professor at NC State University. 

Jeff’s YouTube videos have been viewed more than 10 million times. He is the author of a book entitled "Inside Internet Security: What Hackers Don't Want You To Know” and a contributing author to the "Information Security Management Handbook.” He is a member of the inaugural class of the NC State University Computer Science Alumni Hall of Fame. He serves on the editorial board for the “Information and Computer Security” research journal. Jeff lived in Beijing on assignment in 2006 and has worked with clients in 50 countries. 

"Securing the Mind: Resilience in the Age of AI and Cyber Threats"

Dr. Cynthia Sutherland is a visionary cybersecurity executive, bestselling author, and mental health advocate whose career spans over two decades in national and global security—including roles at FEMA, NATO, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Her talk, "Securing the Mind: Resilience in the Age of AI and Cyber Threats," bridges the gap between mental clarity and digital security, exploring how psychological resilience is vital to navigating today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape. Drawing from her own lived experience as a survivor of sexual assault and her leadership in critical cyber operations, Dr. Sutherland offers a unique perspective on the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and emotional intelligence.

As a National Security Agency (NSA) STEM Pioneer who rocks, Dr. Sutherland challenges future leaders to not only secure data—but to secure minds. Her work has sparked conversations across Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global conferences, and she continues to inspire audiences to lead with courage, clarity, and compassion in an age of complexity.