Intern of the Week: Iverson Scarlett

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 17:29:23 -0400
information-systems, intern, intern-of-the-week, internship, iotw, machine-learning-researcher

Name: Iverson Scarlett

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Spring 2024

Major: Information Systems

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Research Experience

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): SONG Lab

Location of the Organization (City, State): Catonsville, MD

Title of position: Machine Learning Researcher

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
As a participant in this research project, I am contributing to an exciting and important area at the intersection of two cutting-edge fields: explainable artificial intelligence (AI) and digital forensics. This has the potential to shape how we approach and conduct forensic investigations in the digital age, where vast amounts of data and complex AI systems are increasingly involved.

The core focus of my research is to explore how we can make the decision-making processes and inner workings of AI systems more transparent and interpretable, especially in the context of digital forensics. This is crucial because AI algorithms, while powerful, can sometimes act as ""black boxes,"" providing results without explaining the reasoning behind them. In sensitive domains like law enforcement and legal proceedings, understanding the rationale and logic behind AI-generated conclusions is essential for maintaining trust, accountability, and admissibility of evidence.

Through my research, we investigate various explainable AI techniques and their applicability to different stages of the digital forensics process, such as data acquisition, analysis, and reporting. This involves analyzing methods like LIME, SHAP, and Grad-CAM, and understanding how they can provide human-interpretable explanations for AI-based forensic analysis.

My day-to-day tasks include:
Conducting an extensive literature review on explainable AI techniques, digital forensics processes, and the intersection of these two areas. Identify key challenges, open research questions, and potential opportunities.
Developing an outline and initial structure for the position paper.
Exploring and analyzing different explainable AI methods and their applicability to digital forensics use cases. Investigation of how explainable AI could enhance various stages of the digital forensics process, such as data acquisition, analysis, and reporting.
Researching real-world case studies or examples where explainable AI has been used (or could be used) to improve forensic analysis, provide transparency, and enhance human-AI collaboration.
Identifying potential ethical, legal, and social implications of using explainable AI in digital forensics.
Developing well-reasoned arguments and defensible positions on the role of explainable AI in this domain.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I heard about this position through my IS advisor, and I was notified that I could attend the 2023 IS Student Research Outreach on 11/28. Students and faculty at the Department of Information Systems conduct exciting and frontier research in many areas. This event provided a platform to explain how to conduct research and highlight research opportunities to students. The event mainly targeted undergraduates at the IS department. Undergraduates at other departments and graduate students who want to start research with IS faculty were also welcome to attend.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
One of the highlights of my internship experience has been the chance to immerse myself in the cutting-edge fields of explainable artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in cybersecurity. This intersection is teeming with innovation and offers groundbreaking ways to bolster our digital defenses in an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated.

As an undergraduate student with a fervent interest in machine learning, diving into this research has been incredibly fulfilling. It has been an eye-opening journey to see firsthand how the principles of AI can be applied to develop robust cybersecurity solutions. My excitement lies in exploring how to make these AI systems not just powerful, but also transparent and accountable. Given the critical role of cybersecurity in protecting our digital lives, the significance of building trust in AI systems cannot be overstated.

This experience has also prompted me to consider the broader implications of my work. Ethical considerations, such as bias in AI or the privacy of data, are crucial challenges we must navigate. Addressing these issues has been intellectually stimulating and has underscored the importance of developing technology with a conscience.

Most importantly, being part of this pioneering research project as an undergraduate has reinforced my determination to carve out a career at the intersection of machine learning and cybersecurity. The possibility of my work influencing the future of cybersecurity practices, making digital spaces safer and more reliable, is incredibly motivating. It’s a reminder of the tangible impact that my chosen field of study can have on society.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe as an undergraduate researcher I believe that my work can contribute to laying the foundation for future advancements in this field. By exploring the intersection of explainable AI and digital forensics, I was able to identify key challenges, opportunities, and potential research directions that can guide and inspire future scholars and professionals in this domain. The focus on the ethical, legal, and social implications of using explainable AI in digital forensics is particularly impactful. As an undergraduate researcher, bringing my perspective could contribute to shaping the responsible development and deployment of these technologies. I believe Digital forensics plays a crucial role in cybersecurity investigations, law enforcement, and the prosecution of cybercrimes. Research conducted in this area can indirectly contribute to enhancing the capabilities of these fields by proposing methods for more reliable, trustworthy, and interpretable AI-driven forensic analyses, ultimately aiding in the fight against cybercrime and the protection of digital assets.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Make good connections. Engage in on-campus clubs and activities that focus on your major and your own career goals. Try to reach out to faculty who have engaged in research projects or even one of your peers and create connections there as well. I feel like there are a lot of opportunities to engage in research on campus which could help you gain experience for future internships and full time positions.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
I am grateful to have this position as it opened eyes to endless possibilities and integration between technologies that can help change the world for the better.

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