New Auburn Engineering research center combines expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity

Published: Mar 20, 2025 11:30 AM

By Joe McAdory

Auburn Engineering’s newest research center is strategically positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

The Auburn University Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Engineering (AU-CAICE), housed within the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE), is dedicated to uncovering pioneering advancements in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions and tackling the most pressing challenges in the digital age.

“In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the need for groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity has never been more critical,” said Allan David, associate dean for research. “The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is thrilled to continue its role as a leader in emerging technologies, driving innovation and fostering collaboration to address the complex challenges of our time. This new research center embodies our commitment to shaping a safer, more secure future through cutting-edge advancement.”

Gerry Dozier, the center’s first director and the Charles D. McCrary Eminent Chair Professor in CSSE, said researchers will not just focus on AI and cybersecurity, but also three hybrids of AI and Cybersecurity: SecureAI, CyberAI and SecureCyberAI.

“This is based off the two strengths of our department – cybersecurity and artificial intelligence,” said Dozier, who also serves as the Auburn University AI@AU technical lead. “For years, we’ve been working in AI for security (CyberAI), as well as in security for AI (SecureAI).

“SecureAI applies security measures to protect an AI system from adversarial attacks. CyberAI applies AI to the area of cybersecurity, and SecureCyberAI will be best served by security measures that are real-time, self-healing, anti-fragile arms race systems for securing an AI system.”

The AU-CAICE will build upon the foundation laid by the former Auburn Cyber Research Center (ACRC) and advance the legacy of ACRC's pioneering work.

“The center continues to honor ACRC's commitment to cybersecurity excellence while expanding its reach and impact, ensuring that Auburn remains at the forefront of cybersecurity research and education,” David said. “The dedication and achievements of ACRC have paved the way for AU-CAICE to thrive and lead in this critical field.”

“Over the past four years, ACRC has increasingly been focusing on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, and renaming it as AU-CAICE with all of AI and cybersecurity as its scope, is the logical next step,” said CSSE associate professor Daniel Tauritz, who served in the role of ACRC interim director from June 2020 through December 2024, and will continue in his duties as Auburn University’s Director for National Laboratory Relationships. “Given the critical importance of AI and cybersecurity to national security, the new center is perfectly positioned to meet the nation’s needs in these areas, and I look forward to working with director Dozier to address the Department of Energy’s national security mission.”

Dozier said 27 faculty members, representing engineering, business and other disciplines, are already part of the center.

“We want our new center to be nationally recognized for being a team that successfully develops and cultivates scholarly, long-term, extramurally funded research and educational relationships,” he said. “We also want to serve as a hub of an ecosystem that actively collaborates with academia, business and industry, national laboratories and the government. First and foremost, we want people to see our new center as a tool that can be used to improve their lives and provide them with a competitive advantage.”

Located inside the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology and based in the Gen. Ron Burgess Cyber Laboratory, the AU-CAICE is positioned to work closely with student organizations — including the Auburn University Ethical Hacking Club and Society for Responsible Artificial Intelligence — and peer institutes such as the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security and the Auburn University Applied Research Institute.

“I am immensely proud of our ongoing efforts to advance research in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity,” said CSSE Chair and AI@AU administrative lead Hari Narayanan, whose department unveiled AI degree and certificate programs for graduates and undergraduates in the past year, mirroring existing degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity, and holds triple designations by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Defense, Cyber Research, and Cyber Operations.

“The continued emphasis on research and education on these two topics by the department reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation in areas critical to the nation’s future. Our faculty and students play a vital role in driving technological progress in these emerging technologies, fostering a more productive and secure world for all.”

Media Contact: Joe McAdory, jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447