The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Cybersecurity is a free virtual panel discussion that will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 12:45–1:45 p.m. (CST).
Starting a technology-related career requires an understanding of the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence and how it is rapidly changing the field of cybersecurity. AI can strengthen defenses by enabling faster threat detection, predictive analysis, automated responses, and fraud prevention. It also introduces new challenges, as cybercriminals use AI for advanced phishing attacks, deepfakes, adaptive malware, and adversarial manipulation. Join Ph.D. candidates from Illinois Tech’s College of Computing for a thought-provoking, virtual discussion on how AI protects and threatens our digital world, and the steps future tech professionals, businesses, and institutions must take to navigate its ethical and strategic challenges.
Join the discussion on the following topics:
- AI innovations in cybersecurity defense
- How cybercriminals exploit AI technologies
- Balancing ethics, privacy, and automation
- Building trust and transparency in AI systems
- Preparing future professionals for the AI–cybersecurity era
Joining the online panel discussion is free, but advance registration is required.
Moderator:
Steve Rubinow
Assistant Teaching Professor of Information Technology and Management
College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Steve Rubinow is an award-winning chief information and technology officer with deep expertise in transforming organizations and driving innovation across global industries. A member of the CIO Hall of Fame, he has led large-scale technology modernization initiatives in finance, media, and digital transformation, including at the New York Stock Exchange Euronext, Thomson Reuters, and Catalina. Currently, Rubinow serves as assistant teaching professor of the Department of Information Technology and Management at Illinois Tech, where he also teaches in the College of Computing. He is president of Infocology Inc., a technology consultancy, and formerly served on the faculty of DePaul University’s Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media. Holding multiple advanced degrees—including a doctorate in chemistry, an MBA in marketing and finance, and master’s degrees in computer science and screenwriting—from the University of Illinois and DePaul University, he brings both technical vision and creative insight to every endeavor, continually advancing how technology empowers people and industries.
Panelists:
Maria Soto
Ph.D. candidate – Information Technology and Management
College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Maria Soto is a Ph.D. candidate in information technology at Illinois Tech, where she also earned a Master of Cyber Forensics and Security and a Bachelor of Information Technology and Management. Soto’s experience includes conducting comprehensive research on the security of critical infrastructure, with a focus on vulnerabilities in the energy, transportation, and communication sectors. She has developed robust strategies to enhance national infrastructure resilience, engaged with diverse stakeholders to provide actionable security recommendations, and contributed to policy discussions that advance the protection of critical systems in emerging markets.
Puya Pakshad
Ph.D. candidate – Information Technology and Management
College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Puya Pakshad is a Ph.D. candidate at Illinois Tech specializing in software security and AI-driven bug discovery. Holding a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer software engineering from universities in Iran, he focuses on improving vulnerability detection and assessment, including refining the CVSS scoring system. With extensive experience as a graduate teaching assistant and software engineer, Pakshad has worked on security testing, ISO compliance, and machine learning applications. He actively contributes to cybersecurity education and research, sharing insights on AI-augmented vulnerability detection and advancing secure coding practices through academic and public presentations.
Binghui Zhang
Ph.D. candidate– Computer Science
College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Binghui Zhang is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Illinois Tech and an experienced data analyst based in Madison, Wisconsin. He has more than five years of experience at XM Data Strategies, Inc., where he currently works as a business data analyst focusing on data strategy, analytics, and business intelligence. His professional journey includes internships at Guotai Junan Securities, Northwestern University, and Peking University, giving him a strong foundation in both corporate and academic settings across the United States and China. Zhang holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied philosophy, statistics, mathematics, and computer science. His interdisciplinary background supports a rigorous, analytical approach to solving complex data problems.
Welcome/Intro:
Erika C. Burt, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Professional and Academic Programs
College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Erika C. Burt is a recognized leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing academic innovation, organizational transformation, and program development across educational and nonprofit sectors. As assistant dean of professional academic programs at Illinois Tech’s College of Computing, she collaborates with administrators, faculty, and staff to strengthen undergraduate and graduate programs, to expand online learning, and to build strategic institutional partnerships. Throughout her career, Burt has collaborated with teams to both secure and manage more than $18 million in funding, founded and directed STEM education initiatives, and led workforce development programs. Her expertise spans strategic planning, curriculum design, faculty and staff development, and large-scale program implementation. She also serves on multiple institutional committees and professional boards, with service contributions that include reviewing doctoral dissertations, advancing teacher leadership, and promoting equitable access to educational opportunities in diverse communities.