Dominic Sellitto

Professor | Researcher
Machine Learning

I'm a seasoned tech leader, researcher, and educator, passionate about pushing the boundaries of applied technology. My expertise lies in creating data-focused solutions that tackle complex challenges with a focus on scalability, security, and privacy. Recognized by international media as a thought leader, I speak on the latest tech advancements and the critical issues of privacy and ethics. As a former lead consultant and virtual CISO, I've driven strategic initiatives and strengthened cybersecurity programs for diverse organizations, from startups to large enterprises across various industries.

Happening now.

Research and grant work

I am currently actively working on projects related to AI strategy within cybersecurity functions, adversarial machine learning for the defense sector, and development of practical generative AI solutions aimed at advancing medical research.

Teaching innovation

I am actively engaged in developing new coursework surrounding applied generative AI, while enhancing practical components of existing predictive analytics and data warehousing coursework to engage with new methods of data analysis and machine learning..

AI integration with organizational strategy

Internal research activity focused on the impact of AI advancements on organizational strategy. Current outputs include a co-authored research paper investigating the role of cybersecurity professionals in shaping AI strategy, which is currently published as part of the 2024 AMCIS proceedings (link).

Adversarial machine learning in the defense sector

A federal grant funded activity in collaboration with a private organization, Hidden Layer. Public artifacts currently include the white paper "Invisible Threats: Accessing the Heart of Machine Learning" (link)

Developing and deploying innovative AI tools

University grant funded initiative to develop a platform for generative AI application development. This activity culminated in the launch of multiple micro-applications serving the UB student, faculty, and staff community during the Spring 2024 semester. These applications included career tools, classroom support resources, and student assistant apps, all driven by locally run Large Language Models (LLMs).

AI for scientific synthesis

Multiple ongoing projects to explore the efficacy of LLM usage to synthesize scientific literature and enhance the predictive capabilities of classical machine learning models, particularly relating to biological sciences. Current activities include multiple independent projects exploring this problem space.

Areas of Expertise

Things I'm currently focused on.

Adversarial Machine Learning

Who is going to protect our new AI infrastructure from attacks... and how?

AI Tool Development

What practical and innovative use cases for AI can we implement right now, particularly in healthcare and defense?

Data Privacy and Ethics

What is the future of privacy in the age of AI and how will society be impacted?

In the news.

Artificial Intelligence Thought Leadership

  • Featured on NPR discussing new policies proposed by YouTube to identify AI-generated content (link).
  • Interviewed by The Daily Beast regarding the use of AI Chatbots by hacker organizations (link).
  • Discussed "Adversarial" AI Chatbots on CBC Radio and what the future holds for nefarious AI usage (link).
  • Featured on Lithuanian National Radio about the future of AI and the impact it will have on society (link).

Cybersecurity Thought Leadership

  • Interviewed by CNN about a 2024 cyberattack on AT&T and the state of privacy legislation in the US (link).
  • Featured in multiple USA Today articles discussing the Crowdstrike update outages of 2024 (link).
  • Discussed the hack of the SEC Twitter with MarketWatch and how users can protect themselves (link).
  • Interviewed by WGRZ Buffalo regarding cyberattacks in the wake of the Ukraine and Russia conflict (link).

Data Privacy and Ethics Thought Leadership

  • Interviewed by Reuters in a fact check about an alleged data sharing deal with DuckDuckGo (link).
  • Featured by Business Insider discussing issues with how companies use our data for marketing (link).
  • Discussed 23andMe with The Guardian and the safeguards in place to protect DNA-related data (link).
  • Interviewed by The National Desk regarding White House moves to crack down on data brokers (link).

Lectures

A few samples of the topics I teach.

Practical Artificial Intelligence


Data Viz Foundations


Dangers of AI