Panel discussion: Intersection of AI, Cybersecurity, and Policy (Arlington, VA)

Join our expert panel for an engaging discussion on the intersection of cybersecurity and AI policy. Our distinguished panelists and moderator will delve into essential policy frameworks, including risk management strategies, ethical principles, data governance, and privacy.

The conversation will explore the societal imperative for policy convergence, with a focus on secure-by-design AI.

This panel discussion will conclude with a Q&A with our featured speakers in the fields of cybersecurity, AI, ethics, and policy. This free interactive talk will be held at the Northeastern University campus in Arlington, Virginia, offering networking and learning opportunities for professionals, students, and anyone interested in the future of AI governance and cybersecurity policy.

No specialized knowledge or experience in computer science is required.

Questions? Please email c.smith@northeastern.edu.

Featuring faculty and industry experts

Elizabeth “Beth” Hawthorne is a professor and the cybersecurity graduate program director for Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University, based in Arlington. Hawthorne joined Khoury College in 2024 to collaborate with top-notch computer science and cybersecurity colleagues in the Align network and to impact the career trajectories of students. She teaches graduate courses in cybersecurity and digital forensics, and is particularly passionate about the exciting, dynamic field of cybersecurity education. Hawthorne strives to broaden participation in computing and is a former chair of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Education Board, which promotes computing education at all collegiate levels. For more information about Hawthorne, check out her People of ACM profile.

Malihe Alikhani is an assistant professor at Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution working on AI policy, the ethics chair of the Association for Computational Linguistics, and a member of the Northeastern Ethics Institute. She works toward developing safe and fair AI systems that enhance communication, decision-making, and knowledge-sharing across disciplines and populations. Alikhani’s work spans academia, public policy, and applied AI research, bridging theory, practice, and governance to ensure that AI serves society effectively and responsibly.

Costis Toregas is the director of the Cyber Security and Privacy Research Institute at The George Washington University, where his current research interests include cybersecurity risk assessment and organizational strategies, the role of insurance in cyber risk management, the use of blockchain in disaster risk reduction, and apprenticeships and exploring a fuller utilization of community colleges in cybersecurity workforce strategies. He also has a courtesy faculty appointment to the GW Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration as well as a visiting scholar appointment to the Institute for International Science and Technology Policy at the GW Elliot School of International Affairs.

Tom Romanoff is a seasoned leader in AI and technology policy, with extensive experience in shaping public policy that addresses the rapidly evolving landscape of emerging technologies. His work spans AI governance, data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. Tom works at the intersection of public policy, technology, and innovation, advising government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector leaders on cutting-edge policy solutions. Currently, he serves as director of global policy for the ACM, the world’s largest association of computing professionals.