In a career field where there is already a talent shortfall—cybersecurity—the Maryland Department of Labor projects that the demand for skilled workers will grow by 37 percent over the next decade. At the same time, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes ingrained in the operations of more and more companies and institutions, workers with new skills in that overlapping arena are needed nationwide.
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has stepped up in response. This spring, the university launched one of the state’s first undergraduate certificates in AI and, in the fall, it will offer a new online bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence. UMGC’s cybersecurity programs now integrate AI across key courses.
UMGC is also bringing together labor market experts to discuss the growing talent gap—and seek solutions—as digital transformation and AI reshape every industry.
“There is a well-known cybersecurity workforce shortage nationally and in Maryland,” Greg Von Lehman, special assistant to the president for cybersecurity at UMGC, said during the university’s recent webinar titled Maryland Leads the Way: The Future of Cyber and AI Talent. “In Maryland, for every 10 cybersecurity positions that are open, we’re only able to fill eight of them.”
Von Lehman was joined in the discussion by Seeyew Mo, senior advisor for Cyber Maryland.
“As the economy becomes increasingly digitized,” Mo said. “We know that we're going to need more and more people with the skills not just to manage digital services, but to protect them as well.”
A recent Lightcast report covering January 2022 through January 2025 revealed a 34 percent jump in AI-related job postings. During that timeframe, some 382,000 job openings were posted. During that same time, more than 20,000 employers were actively seeking data scientists, machine learning engineers, AI engineers and AI solutions architects.
“Today’s employers are looking to hire professionals who can leverage artificial intelligence technologies to drive mission-critical outcomes across all sectors—from small businesses and large corporations to nonprofits, government agencies, and the military,” said Elena Gortcheva, portfolio director of data analytics at UMGC.
By embedding AI into its cybersecurity curriculum, UMGC is ensuring that students are not only prepared for today’s challenges but are also equipped to lead tomorrow’s AI-enhanced security landscape. The new undergraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Foundations is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to lead AI initiatives within their organizations.
The program is specifically tailored for non-technical professionals and managers, ensuring you are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in your respective industries. You’ll attain a comprehensive understanding of AI, from introductory concepts to practical AI tools and applications, ethical considerations, and broader implications for both the workplace and society.
And the new online bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence provides both technical and strategic foundations in AI through core coursework covering mathematics, machine learning, deep learning, data engineering, and systems design, while emphasizing ethical AI development. The degree offers a future-focused curriculum with two distinct tracks, catering to both those who want to leverage AI's power and those who want to build it.
“AI is rapidly reshaping the future of work across virtually every industry,” said UMGC Chief Innovation Officer Kris McCall, who also took part in the webinar. “Employers value professionals who can not only understand the fundamentals of AI but also apply it to improve workflows, enhance decision-making and drive innovation.”
UMGC’s integration of AI in key courses in its cybersecurity programs puts a particular focus on security operations centers (SOCs), where students learn to harness AI-driven intelligence to identify and mitigate threats in real time. This hands-on, forward-looking approach ensures graduates are not only technically proficient but also strategically prepared to use AI as a force multiplier in their careers.
“The bad guys are leveraging and engineering artificial intelligence capabilities faster than we can engineer defenses,” said Calvin Nobles, dean and portfolio vice president of the School of Cybersecurity and IT at UMGC. “On the flip side, AI is a significant enabler and multiplier for cybersecurity. Now we can use it in our defenses to detect and respond to threats faster and more effectively.”
Where cybersecurity and AI were once taught in separate silos, UMGC now treats them as interconnected disciplines. This approach reflects the evolving demands of the workforce, where employers increasingly expect graduates to understand and apply AI in their roles. The goal is to make UMGC students stand out in a competitive job market.
“We are encouraging all of our students—not just those in cybersecurity, but also in other programs such as data science and analytics—to grasp AI because it’s a game changer,” said Nobles.