CyberAI SFS: Secure Computing with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming cybersecurity. While AI can strengthen cyber defense through large-scale data analysis, anomaly detection, and automated response, it also enables more sophisticated attacks, including adversarial machine learning, data poisoning, AI-assisted vulnerability discovery, and autonomous exploitation of systems. This dual role of AI creates an urgent national need for professionals who can both use AI to defend critical systems and secure AI-enabled systems against emerging threats. The proposed Secure Computing with AI (SCAI) program will educate and train the next generation of CyberAI professionals for government service. Building on New Jersey Institute of Technology’s decade-long success in the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service program, SCAI will recruit, train, and graduate students for cybersecurity roles in government agencies. The program will strengthen national security, advance STEM workforce development, and contribute to a more resilient digital society by preparing experts capable of defending critical infrastructure in the age of AI. The project will implement an integrated CyberAI education model that combines cybersecurity and AI into a cohesive training framework. Students from multiple computing disciplines will transition into cybersecurity-focused master’s programs enhanced with AI coursework, including trustworthy AI, federated learning, AI-assisted software engineering, and secure AI agents. The educational approach will combine flexible curricula, experiential learning, research-supported education, CyberAI technology watch, competition-based training, creativity development, and multi-tier mentoring. Students will engage in hands-on CyberAI projects, cyber range exercises, and research on topics such as AI-driven vulnerability detection, privacy-preserving code generation, secure AI agents, and AI-enabled security operations. The project will generate transferable knowledge on how to educate a workforce capable of operating and securing AI-enabled systems in adversarial environments, providing a scalable model for next-generation cybersecurity education. This project is supported by the CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program which funds proposals to increase national capacity to educate and train professionals in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Cybersecurity, and to support their placement and retention in the CyberAI mission of government organizations. The Scholarship Track funds academic institutions to award scholarships to students in exchange for their government service. The Innovation Track seeks transformative education proposals in the areas of AI, cybersecurity, or the integration of AI and cybersecurity. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.