TERRELL LAMONT STRAYHORN
Biography
Professor of Education and Psychology
Contributing Faculty
Professor of Higher Education and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Professor of Education and Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs
Professor of Education, Africana & African-American Studies, and Sexuality Studies
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
MS (Master of Science), Psychology
MEd (Master of Education), Education Policy
Research Interest
Research Methods, Evaluation and Assessment
Research Methods, Statistics, Experimental Design
Research and Scholarship
Abstract
Securing the Future: Building Belonging via Smart Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Intelligent Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence (AI)–generally referring to computer systems that simulate human cognitive functions, including perceptions, language processing, and decision-making–is virtually everywhere [1]. Voice recognition tools (e.g., Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s SIRI1), writing assistants (e.g., ChatGPT2), and online chatbots are popular examples of Smart AI. Widely used across industries, including education, business, and tech, many have expressed valid concerns about smart AI, ranging from data integrity and ethics to privacy concerns. Mass proliferation of AI presents other challenges such as safety/security issues, including data breaches and deepfakes. Cybersecurity professionals develop codes, protocols, and countermeasures to protect against cyberattacks, extortion, and phishing, just to name a few. A recent report estimated that organizations face more than 1,800 cyberattacks per week on average [2]. Total annual costs of AI-related cyberattacks to companies are projected to exceed $9.5 trillion USD [3], reflecting the “real price” companies pay for multilayered security. Safety and security are central to sense of belonging. Sense of belonging is “a feeling, a sensation, a belief that one matters to others around them and that someone else cares about them and their outcomes (aka “success or failures”) almost as much as they do” (pp. 11-12). A basic need and human right, belonging reflects people’s shared faith or belief that their needs will be met by their commitment to be together [4]. But, what’s the future of AI and how can we scale its power, while securing people and their property? How can we do this in ways that “feel” personal and generate sense of belonging? These questions will be addressed in this ICAIC 2025 presentation that draws upon anecdotes, data, visual simulations, and more to lay out a blueprint for building belonging through smart AI and intelligent cybersecurity.
