KENNESAW, GA | December 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 two-player strategic board game that originated in ancient China, between a professional player and a computer that uses artificial intelligence (AI). He realized the profound potential of AI after its victory.
“AI technology is booming today, but even then, research and engineering applications were developing,” says Hwang. “The company I worked for was already exploring AI applications for their cybersecurity solutions.”
Since completing his Ph.D. in Data Science and Analytics from Kennesaw State University’s 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 will share his expertise in AI and statistics with students. This month, he returns to KSU to accept his degree during fall commencement.
When he began his studies at Kennesaw State, Hwang expected to delve strictly into AI algorithms from a computer science perspective. Instead, he learned about the fundamental role of statistics in the development of AI models.
“I expected to focus on AI algorithms from a computer scientist’s perspective,” Hwang says. “However, I discovered that many AI models are built on foundations in statistics. Towards the end of my Ph.D. program, I found myself becoming more of a statistician.”
Hwang’s journey was not without obstacles. The intensive doctoral courses, especially in mathematics, proved to be a challenge. He spent extra time studying and tackling mathematical problems to overcome them.
“My biggest challenge was adapting to the statistical and probabilistic thinking required in AI,” Hwang recalls. “In 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 can vary, as long as it makes sense in the context.”
Despite the challenges, Hwang found success. At the 2023 Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine conference, Hwang and his mentor, MinJae Woo, presented research on assessing breast cancer risk in areas around 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 chief academic advisor. As his graduate research assistant, Hwang worked on six research projects and developed seven manuscripts for conference and journal submissions.
“He will perform excellently in any environment and has proven himself as a versatile and skilled teacher and researcher,” Woo said.
When it comes to those pursuing the doctoral path Hwang took, he said it requires an interdisciplinary approach.
“You will probably have to deal with theories and techniques from different fields, so don’t limit yourself to a single domain during your PhD. travel. Seize the opportunity to learn from multiple domains to increase your impact,” said Hwang.
In his current research, Hwang plans to implement generative AI and ChatGPT-like applications in hospital environments.
“Generative AI applications in the medical field are expected to improve patient privacy through synthetic data, even if data is shared publicly online, making AI medical data research more accessible to potential AI medical researchers,” said he. “ChatGPT-like applications in healthcare can support clinical and laboratory research by medical professionals, streamline communication between nurses, students and patients and ultimately improve clinical efficiency.”
– Story by Darius Goodman
Photos by Darnell Wilburn
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw 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 attract students from across the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2) and is among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
