REU Site: AI-Empowered Cybersecurity

网络安全不断面临来自不断发展的基础设施、新出现的漏洞和人为因素的挑战。人工智能(AI)将成为这种情况下的关键工具，显著增强威胁检测，提高攻击识别的精度，并加快事件响应。密苏里大学堪萨斯城分校将建立一个新的本科生研究体验(REU)网站，该网站将安排一个暑期项目，让本科生参与全面的人工智能和网络安全研究。在这个项目中，学生将在深入的项目上与教师导师密切合作，参与互动实验室和研讨会，并展示创新的研究成果。该项目旨在以有限的研究资源接触到代表性不足的群体和机构，促进网络安全的多样性和包容性。该项目将研究生成式人工智能、大型语言模型和图形神经网络等人工智能技术的前沿。这些技术将应用于一系列网络安全挑战，如入侵检测、高级网络钓鱼检测、代码漏洞分析和强大的身份验证系统的开发。在专家导师的指导下，REU的学生将为推进人工智能驱动的网络安全解决方案做出重大贡献。此外，该项目将与GenCyber夏令营合作，向高中生介绍这些关键科目。REU参与者将通过小组讨论和演讲与夏令营参与者分享他们的研究成果和经验，促进知识转移和社区积极参与的环境。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Cybersecurity continuously faces challenges arising from evolving infrastructures, emerging vulnerabilities, and human factors. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to emerge as a crucial tool in this scenario, significantly enhancing threat detection, refining the precision of attack identification, and expediting incident response. The University of Missouri-Kansas City will establish a new Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site that orchestrates a summer program to engage undergraduate students in comprehensive AI and cybersecurity research. In this program, students will collaborate closely with faculty mentors on in-depth projects, participate in interactive labs and workshops, and present innovative research findings. Aiming to reach underrepresented groups and institutions with limited research resources, the program promotes diversity and inclusivity in cybersecurity.This project will investigate the forefront of AI technologies like Generative AI, Large Language Models, and Graph Neural Networks. These technologies will be applied to a spectrum of cybersecurity challenges, such as intrusion detection, advanced phishing detection, code vulnerability analysis, and the development of robust authentication systems. Under the guidance of expert mentors, REU students will significantly contribute to advancing AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. Furthermore, the project will collaborate with GenCyber summer camps, introducing high school students to these critical subjects. REU participants will share their research findings and experiences with camp attendees through panel discussions and presentations, fostering an environment of knowledge transfer and active community engagement.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.