Vahid Behzadan is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science and Data Science. He is also the founder and director of the Secure and Assured Intelligent Learning (SAIL) research group, and mentors the University's hacking team. Dr. Behzadan's research is primarily on the safety and security of artificial intelligence and complex adaptive systems. His pioneering work on the security of deep reinforcement learning is recognized as seminal contributions to this growing field of research. Dr. Behzadan's recent work includes publications on the applications of machine learning to security and safety assessment of complex systems, such as driverless cars, unmanned aerial systems, and smart cities. He has presented numerous invited talks on the security of machine learning, and applications of data science in cybersecurity at venues such as the Open Web Application Security Project (OWSAP) foundation, the Black Hat conference, and UK's Transportation Research Laboratory (TRL). His research on the psychopathological approach to AI safety has been featured in national and international news.
In 2023, Dr. Behzadan was appointed to the new Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Working Group by Governor Ned Lamont.
See MoreDr. Behzadan received his Ph.D. from Kansas State University, where he also co-founded the K-State AI Safety Research Initiative. Previously, he was at the Computer Networking Lab, University of Nevada in Reno and the Microwave research group at the University of Birmingham, UK. He received his B. Eng. in computer and communication systems engineering from the University of Birmingham, UK, and his M.S. in computer science from the University of Nevada, Reno.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data, and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses a data breach impacting millions of AT&T customers that released personal information on the dark web.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data, and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses the security update for iPhone users to protect sensitive data if their phone is stolen.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data, and computer science, computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses why foreign-made drones may be banned. Data collected can be exploited if they fall into the hands of an adversarial state.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, and Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, comment on the technical applications of AI models used by engineers and researchers. As AI becomes more mainstream, the Connecticut State Legislature aims to regulate how it can be used to prevent nefarious actions.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer, and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses online scams that take advantage of people on dating sites by asking for money or credit card information. The scams are becoming very sophisticated.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses how images posted online, including voice postings, can be manipulated by AI users and how to protect this information. Behzadan was in his class for this interview.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses the use of AI in the classroom and recent data showing how AI is being used in the writing of a significant number of college essays.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses a tech alert sent out by law enforcement agencies about the Name Drop feature that can share contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch, perhaps unknowingly from another device.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments that Cruise vehicles were designed to help reduce accidents on the road, not eliminate them.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses the latest on a cyberattack targeting Prospect Medical Holdings in Connecticut that resulted in sensitive information being stolen.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments that although companies may hire a private investigator, it should not include an explicit request for illegal hacking.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab discusses how data brokers are buying information about military members and, potentially, selling this sensitive data to foreign advisories, creating a national security issue.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, explains what the QR code abbreviation stands for and where it was invented.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses the cybersecurity programs offered to Ph.D. and graduate students at the University of New Haven.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, says customers of Jake’s 58 casino on Long Island should be mindful of suspicious credit card activity, following a cybersecurity breach that closed the casino for three days.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses what a botnet is and how it is used in ransomware attacks..
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses what a botnet is and how it is used in ransomware attacks..
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses some of the issues that self-driving vehicles are having when performing on the road with other vehicles and safety issues.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments on why artificial intelligence tools, such as self-driving cars, can get into danger when situations arise quickly on the road these vehicles cannot react immediately.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments that ransomware attacks often target healthcare providers because of the sensitive data stored on computers.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments on how many U.S. embassies still use legacy software, making classified and private data vulnerable to hackers.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments that ransomware attacks are on the rise partially due to the difficulty authorities can have tracking cryptocurrency payments.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses cybersecurity and how to protect your data from hackers.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments on biometric systems used at stores to prevent theft and the risk involved, which depends on how securely the data is stored, for consumers and companies.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, associate professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science; computer and electrical engineer; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses Threads, a new Meta app aimed to compete with Twitter and its popularity since it launched.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses artificial intelligence and some of the issues parents should be concerned about for their children on the internet.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; computer and electrical engineering; and data and computer science, discusses the modeling of AGIs (artificial general intelligence) and the complexities of achieving function accurately.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; computer and electrical engineering; and data and computer science, discusses privacy and security concerns about the latest technology development on the Apple iPhone that can replicate your voice.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; computer and electrical engineering; and data and computer science, talks about the latest developments with free, open A.I. and efforts the government is making to try to regulate it.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses the reasons for a ban on the TikTok app for all federal devices and why it may become a nationwide ban.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, including the potential of an overreliance on using these tools.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity; data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, comments on how inserting deepfakes into video clips has become relatively easy for the average user of AI-generated technology.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, and computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, talks about the dangers of connecting a personal computer or cell phone to a public USB port.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, talks about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT and the concerns with this type of technology.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, says that plugging your device in a public USB charging station can lead to the injection of monitoring software and malware by cybercriminals.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, computer and electrical engineering, and director of the SAIL Lab, discusses how artificial intelligence is assisting NASA and private companies in researching space, in this in-depth interview.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, and computer and electrical engineering, comments on the massive recall of Tesla self-driving cars and says drivers should remain engaged and alert in these vehicles.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, electrical and computer engineering, and data and computer science, discusses how posts on social media may put you at risk for revealing too much personal information, such as TikTok’s #GRWM trend, which includes details of where, who you are with, and what you are doing to start your day.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, and computer and electrical engineering, discusses TikTok and some of the concerns for U.S. government agencies that are banning it from official devices, such as computers and cellular devices.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, and computer and electrical engineering, comments that when municipalities do not invest in data protection on their networks, it may end up costing them millions of dollars in ransomware attacks.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science, and computer and electrical engineering, discusses ChatGPT. This AI app can compose content but cannot wonder, question, or validate the accuracy of information. Luke Stacey '26 comments that it is not something he uses.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of data and computer science, cyber security, and computer and electrical engineering, discusses how facial recognition biometric tools can easily be manipulated by light and angles.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of data and computer science, cybersecurity, and computer and electrical engineering, discusses a rally at the University of New Haven and hundreds of other universities across the globe to stand in solidarity with the University of Guelph in Iran. Students are protesting the treatment of women after the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini by the morality police in Iran, the death of a 10-year-old boy Kian Pirfalak, and violence against marginalized Kurdish communities.
The Charger Blog
As part of a recent visit to the University, Attorney General William Tong interacted with faculty and students, discussing the importance of cybersecurity and data privacy as well as combatting cybercrime. He also had the opportunity to learn about how the University is preparing students to be the next generation of leaders in addressing these critical issues.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of data and computer science, cybersecurity, and computer and electrical engineering, says that although you are far more likely to be hit by lightning, it is fun to have the shared experience and daydream about winning the Powerball jackpot over a billion dollars.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer, and electrical engineering, talks about the odds of winning the lottery as the Powerball jackpot climbs toward a billion dollars.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security and computer and electrical engineering, discusses the EU implementing a law requiring all cellular and small electronic devices to use the USB-C domain, eliminating the Lightning chargers for Apple devices by 2024.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and computer and electrical engineering, talks about cybersecurity and the risks of cybercrime and imposter schemes for anyone who uses the internet.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, explains what stir-shaken technology is and how it works on cell phones.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, talks about the odds of winning one of the biggest jackpots in Mega Millions’ history.
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Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, discusses the inherent risks of using an app that tracks your personal information, such as a woman's menstrual cycle, in the wake of Roe v. Wade.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer science, and electrical engineering, says LinkedIn accounts may contain too much personal information that data scammers and scrappers could use to access individuals’ financial information.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, associate professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, talks about how artificial intelligence works and the ethical challenges and uses.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, discusses the pros and cons of Google collecting information about users.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, says because of their nature, “Cupid scams” may be difficult to detect as most people may never meet the person they are dating, except online.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, says an incident impacting Bradley International Airport caused no interruption to the air traffic controllers or flight operations, only sending an overflow of emails to the website to crash it.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, says there are ways to protect your information on smartphones, computers, and tablets from cyberattacks.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, says there are ways to protect your information from cyber-attacks.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cyber security, computer and electrical engineering, says there have been previous attempts by hackers and explains why extra care should be used when filing sensitive documents electronically.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, says companies that do not align with the Russian government may become victims of hacking or cyberattacks.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, says some of the apps used to limit sites for children essentially act as spyware.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering; Declan Hill, associate professor of investigations; Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs; David Sacco, a practitioner in residence of finance; and Howard Stoffer, professor of national security and international affairs, took part in a panel discussion on the war in Ukraine and it’s impact. The special program was part of collaboration with WFSB, with the show airing on WFSB+ and WFSB’s Facebook page.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering; Declan Hill, associate professor of investigations; Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs; David Sacco, a practitioner in residence of finance; and Howard Stoffer, professor of national security and international affairs, took part in a panel discussion on the war in Ukraine and its impact. The special program was part of collaboration with WFSB, with the show airing on WFSB+ and WFSB’s Facebook page.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and computer and electrical engineering, says there is a reason for concern that Russia could use cyberattacks against countries that may sanction them.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, took part in a panel discussion on cyberattacks that Russia could employ against Ukraine or other countries across the globe.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, gives some helpful advice for users to protect their information from cybercriminals.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer, and electrical engineering, talks about the possibility of cybersecurity attacks from Russia aimed at the United States.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, says that New York could be one of the targets by Russian hackers, especially on supply chains.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering and cybersecurity, talks about the security risk to computer devices and online services if a couple shares a password and then breaks up.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering and cybersecurity, discusses, “dark patterns,” design choices that occur interfaces that result in users giving information unknowingly.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering and cybersecurity, talks about the issues of older aviation technology that may be disrupted if 5G service is implemented close to an airport.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering, and cybersecurity, says one of the biggest hurdles in cybersecurity is overcoming apathy, saying, two-factor authentication is necessary for users.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, comments on the number of disruptions this year for internet systems and cloud providers.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering, and cybersecurity, comments on the many points of failure that affect the global experience of the internet with repeated outages.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering, and cybersecurity says there is cause for concern there have been repeated outages in a short period for AWS.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and data engineering, and cybersecurity, comments on an app parents use to track their children’s whereabouts and usage on their cell phones.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, says that the technology used by juveniles making school threats can be traceable on a virtual private network.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, talks about how AI technology is helping to combat human trafficking around the world.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, talks about how to help protect your personal information from cybercrime and data breaches.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, talks about cookies and how websites use them to track activity online.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science and computer engineering, says it is not hard to break into a computer, but if the hackers can get away with it.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science, and computer engineering, talks about the risks of smart TVs and how to protect yourself from hackers.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science, and computer engineering, comments on possible reasons the CIA may have purchased the encrypted messaging platform Wickr.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science and computer engineering, talks about cybercriminal activity using extortion seems to be on the rise across the country.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science and computer engineering, talks about the popular app "What's App" and some security features to help protect your privacy.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science, and computer engineering, talks about phishing and specific measures to reduce the probability of them succeeding.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science and computer engineering, talks about cybersecurity, AI, cryptocurrency origins and computer hacking.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and network, data science and computer engineering, talks about the recent targets and frequency of ransomware attacks.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science and computer engineering, talks about possible security issues for users of Amazon Sidewalk.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science and computer engineering, talks about how to protect personal information from cyber thieves.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science, and computer engineering, talks about the use of deep fakes and how hard they are to detect.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor for cybersecurity and networks, data science, and computer engineering, comments on how the app failed to provide users with a level of control over their data.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity and networks, data science, and computer engineering, comments on the Venmo app and the security exposure for President Biden and his family.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor for cybersecurity and computer engineering, comments on the vulnerability from using an app, like President Biden did with his Venmo account.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering and computer science, talks about the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering and computer science, talks about how AI has become a part of warfare with autonomous weapons.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering and computer science, comments on the readiness of the US to compete internationally on AI.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about the feasibility of electromagnetic pulses used to disable security systems and computer equipment.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, comments on the military being one of the largest sources of funding for applied science and engineering research.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about the odds of winning the big jackpots.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, comments that the cyber-attack on U.S. agencies appears to be mainly espionage by Russia.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about the concern of the phishing scam that was launched against the Department of Labor.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, has partnered with Love Justice International to develop machine learning tools for monitoring and tracking indicators of human trafficking on social media and online.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, comments how the lack of physical supervision and inspection can compromise the DoD’s core mission.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about the demand for laptops and tablets amid the pandemic.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, comments on the concern this type of tools has for spamming or “fake news”.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about this type of malware and the effect on computers.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about the recent ransomware attack on the Hartford Public School system and what it means.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about how ransomware infects data.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, talks about how the aggregation of data may reveal your identity.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, comments on growing numbers of fraud as more people are working from home.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, discusses the recent types of cyber-attacks, including ransomware.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, gave an in-depth interview on cybersecurity, AI and as the director of the Secure and Assured Intelligent Learning (SAIL) Lab.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, comments on the security risks for using Zoom at the Department of Defense.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, discusses the recent cyberattack on HHS.
In the Media
Summer Johnson McGee, dean of the School of Health Sciences, and Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer science in the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discuss how coronavirus is impacting their field of expertise.
The Charger Blog
Faculty members from across the University are joining School of Health Sciences public health researchers in sharing their expertise in areas ranging from the economy and technology to travel and tourism to examine the global impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer science, discusses leveraging recent advances in AI for enhancement of vaccine strategies.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science, discusses the possible need of psychology for AI in the future.
In the Media
A paper written by Vahid Behzadan, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science, “Psychopathological Approach to Safety Engineering in AI and AGI” is discussed.
In the Media
A paper about the future need of AI psychologists, written by Vahid Behzadan, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science, is discussed.
In the Media
Listen to the ABC News Interview Recording with Vahid Behzadan, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science, about the future need of AI psychologists.
In the Media
A paper written by Vahid Behzadan, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science, about the future need of AI psychologists is discussed.