Kennesaw, Georgia | December 12, 2024
Eight years ago, while working as a software engineer at a Korean cybersecurity company, InChan Hwang created a historic match of the strategic board game Go between a professional Go player and a computer using artificial intelligence (AI). I watched the game. Following AI’s victory, that’s when he realized the deep potential of AI.
“Today, AI technology is growing rapidly, but research and engineering applications were still being developed back then,” Huang said. “The company I worked for was already looking at AI applications for cybersecurity solutions.”
Since earning his Ph.D. in data science and analytics from Kennesaw State University’s College of Computer Science and Engineering, Huang has taken a new position as an assistant professor of cybersecurity at Montreat College in North Carolina, where he focuses on AI and statistics. Sharing specialized knowledge with undergraduate students. This month, he will return to KSU to receive his degree during fall enrollment.
When Huang began his studies at Kennesaw State University, he expected to study AI algorithms rigorously from a computer science perspective. Instead, he learned about the fundamental role of statistics in AI model development.
“I was hoping to focus on AI algorithms from a computer scientist’s perspective,” Huang said. “But I found that many AI models were built on the foundations of statistics. By the end of my Ph.D. program, I found myself becoming more of a statistician. .”
Hwang’s journey was not without hurdles. The intensive courses of the doctoral program, especially the mathematics courses, proved difficult. To overcome it, he spent extra time studying and working on math problems.
“My biggest challenge was adapting to the statistical and probabilistic thinking required for AI,” Huang recalls. “In traditional algorithms, we expect accurate outputs for a given input. However, in AI, especially generative models, the results are often probabilistic rather than precise. They are not meaningful in context. However, the results may change each time you run the model.
Despite facing difficulties, Mr. Huang achieved success. At the 2023 Society for Medical Imaging and Informatics Conference, Hwang and his mentor MinJae Woo presented research on breast cancer risk assessment in the peritumoral region. His poster presentation was recognized as one of the best at the conference.
Mr. Huang and Mr. Wu have been working together since 2021, when Mr. Wu served as the lead academic advisor. As a graduate research assistant, Mr. Huang worked on six research projects and prepared seven manuscripts for submission to conferences and journals.
“He performed well in any environment and proved to be a versatile and skilled teacher and researcher,” Wu said.
As for those who pursue the Ph.D. program chosen by Hwang, he said an interdisciplinary approach will be needed.
“Avoid being limited to one field during your PhD, as you will likely need to work on theories and techniques from a variety of disciplines. Travel. Travel from multiple disciplines to broaden your impact.” Take advantage of learning opportunities,” said Huang.
In his current research, Hwang plans to implement generative AI and ChatGPT-like applications within hospital environments.
“Generative AI applications in healthcare are expected to enhance patient privacy through synthetic data, even when the data is publicly shared online, and as a result, future healthcare AI researchers will “It makes AI research more accessible,” he said. “Applications like ChatGPT in healthcare support clinical and laboratory research conducted by medical professionals, streamlining communication between nurses, students, and patients, and ultimately improving clinical efficiency. You can.”
– Story by Darius Goodman
Photo by Darnell Wilburn
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State University is a member of the University System of Georgia, which has 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong international connections, and entrepreneurial spirit attracts students from across the country and around the world. Kennesaw State University is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), one of an elite group of only 7% of U.S. universities with R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
