肉肉传媒

KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 12, 2024

Eight years ago, while working as a software engineer for a South Korean cybersecurity company, InChan Hwang watched a historic game of Go, a strategic board game, between a professional player and a computer using artificial intelligence (AI). It was then he realized the profound potential of AI following its victory.

鈥淎I technology is booming today, but even back then, research and engineering applications were developing,鈥� Hwang said. 鈥淭he company I worked for was already exploring AI applications for their cybersecurity solutions.鈥�

Since completing his Ph.D. in Data Science and Analytics from 肉肉传媒鈥檚  College of Computer Science and Engineering, Hwang has started a new role as an assistant professor of cybersecurity at Montreat College in North Carolina, where he shares his expertise in AI and statistics with undergraduate students. This month he returns to KSU to accept his degree during fall Commencement.

When he began his studies at 肉肉传媒 State, Hwang expected to delve strictly into AI algorithms from a computer science perspective. Instead, he learned of the fundamental role of statistics in AI model development.

鈥淚 expected to focus on AI algorithms from a computer scientist's perspective,鈥� Hwang said. 鈥淗owever, I discovered that many AI models are built upon foundations in statistics. By the end of my Ph.D. program, I found myself becoming more of a statistician.鈥�

Hwang鈥檚 journey was not without hurdles. The intense doctoral coursework, especially in mathematics, proved challenging. He dedicated extra time to studying and tackling math problems to overcome it.

鈥淢y biggest challenge was adapting to the statistical and probabilistic thinking required in AI,鈥� Hwang recalls. 鈥淚n traditional algorithms, you expect a precise output for a given input. But with AI, especially in generative models, the outcome is often probabilistic rather than exact. Each time you run the model, the result might vary, as long as it makes sense in context.鈥�

Even with the challenges, Hwang found success. The Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine conference in 2023 saw Hwang and his mentor, MinJae Woo, present research on assessing breast cancer risk in areas surrounding tumors. His poster presentation was honored as one of the best at the conference.

Hwang and Woo have worked together since 2021 when Woo served as his primary academic advisor. Hwang worked as his graduate research assistant on six research projects and developed seven manuscripts for conference and journal submissions.

鈥淗e will perform excellently in any environment and has proved himself as a well-rounded and skilled teacher and researcher,鈥� Woo said.

When it comes to those who undertake the doctoral path that Hwang took, he said that it will require an interdisciplinary approach.

鈥淵ou'll likely need to engage with theories and techniques from various fields, so avoid restricting yourself to a single domain during your Ph.D. journey. Embrace the opportunity to learn from multiple domains to broaden your impact,鈥� Hwang said.

In his current research, Hwang is planning to implement generative AI and ChatGPT-like applications within hospital settings.

鈥淕enerative AI applications in the medical field are anticipated to enhance patient privacy through synthetic data, even if data is publicly shared online, thus making AI research on medical data more accessible to prospective medical AI researchers,鈥� he said. 鈥淐hatGPT-like applications in healthcare can support clinical and laboratory research conducted by medical professionals, streamline communication among nurses, students, and patients, and ultimately improve clinical efficiency.鈥�

鈥� Story by Darius Goodman

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 肉肉传媒 offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 肉肉传媒 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 肉肉传媒 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.