Khalid Malik’s mission is to solve problems that will help improve lives.
Through his work at the University of Michigan-Flint, the professor of computer science has been able to select challenges that require interdisciplinary solutions and then build the team that can tackle them.
The challenges are varied, ranging from aneurysms to detecting deep fakes, but all have a core similarity. They utilize the specific capabilities of AI, combined with the knowledge and critical thinking of human experts, to take on problems that would otherwise be impossible for humans alone to solve.
Malik has always been intrigued by biological systems and figuring out how things worked, and if they didn’t, what was needed to correct the system. When searching for potential projects, he looked for opportunities that combined his interests in human health and cutting-edge computer science. He emphasized that the most important aspect of being a researcher is selecting challenges that the team is most well-equipped to solve.
“There are people, particularly in marginalized communities, who cannot defend themselves from these kinds of schemes, so we need to develop solutions to assist the common people against various types of fraud that are happening”
“Be patient, be consistent and keep working on it,” Malik said. “It should take a reasonable amount of time to select a problem rather than just jumping into what others are doing. Instead, look at what is a pressing problem that is unsolved, and ask yourself, ‘Am I the right person for this?’”
He joined UM-Flint in 2023 as a professor of computer science and director of cyber security at the College of Innovation and Technology. At U-M, he has found the resources and collaborators needed to launch the Secure Modeling and Intelligent Learning in Engineering Systems (SMILES) Lab, where he is the director and principal investigator. The SMILES Lab leads several innovative projects, including his current efforts in deep fake detection and brain aneurysm rupture predictions.
Deep fakes are convincing video or audio showing a person saying something that they never did. These videos are becoming more common in fraud schemes.
“There are people, particularly in marginalized communities, who cannot defend themselves from these kinds of schemes, so we need to develop solutions to assist the common people against various types of fraud that are happening,” Malik said.
By working with the Office of the Vice President for Research, he was able to connect with Innovation Partnerships, which works with researchers and faculty to advance their innovations and bring them to market. The unit provided mentoring services and connected him with consultants, potential investors and companies throughout the country that could help assess the technology his team was developing.
Since joining U-M, his research has been supported by several funding organizations including the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense and Department of Energy.
He also received financial support from the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Life Sciences Innovation Hub, which is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and is co-managed by Innovation Partnerships and Fast Forward Medical Innovation, based in the Medical School Office of Research.
Malik emphasized that at the pace AI is evolving, it is crucial that researchers interested in the field look to the future, anticipate the next challenge and prepare for it now.
“We’re designing things that will solve the issue that doesn’t exist yet,” Malik said. “We need to stay one step ahead of the bad actors. We can’t be reactive in nature when it comes to cybersecurity.”
This research is supported by the UM-Flint College of Innovation and Technology Gift Fund.
Learn more: https://giving.umich.edu/um/w/um-flint-college-of-innovation-and-technology-gift-fund-337618