A&T Names New Cyber Defense and AI Lab, Boosts Local Workforce

North Carolina A&T unveiled a new Cyber Defense and Artificial Intelligence laboratory on November 13, 2025, naming the facility for Board of Trustees chair Gina L. Loften ’90. The university release said the lab will advance cyberdefense research and AI development, build stronger pipelines into cybersecurity and AI careers, and support partnerships with industry and government. University leaders framed the initiative as part of a broader push to expand A&T engineering and computing capacities.

The announcement positions the lab as a hub for applied research and workforce development. By concentrating resources and faculty expertise in a dedicated facility, A&T aims to accelerate projects that could feed internships, co op placements, and research contracts. The release noted contributors and collaborators in establishing the facility, signaling external financial and institutional support for the initiative.

For Guilford County residents, the lab promises several concrete local effects. Students in computing and engineering programs will gain access to specialized equipment and programs designed to match employer needs. Employers in the Greensboro area and across the Piedmont can expect a deeper talent pool of graduates trained in cyber defense and artificial intelligence tools, which could reduce recruitment costs and encourage firms to expand local operations. For public sector agencies and municipal governments, closer ties to campus researchers may offer new resources for cybersecurity resilience and digital services.

Economic context strengthens the significance of the announcement. Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence skills are in high demand nationally, and regions that can supply trained workers are more likely to attract technology investment and contract work. The lab could also increase A&T capacity to capture research grants and industry funding, with spillovers into local contracting for construction, equipment, and professional services.

Longer term, the laboratory could influence Guilford County workforce patterns by improving retention of graduates and supporting entrepreneurship in cyber and AI domains. As employers seek secure digital systems and advanced analytics, a local center of gravity at A&T may help position Greensboro as a competitive location for firms that rely on these capabilities.

The university release emphasized partnerships with industry and government without specifying all contributors. Officials framed the naming as recognition of Gina L. Loften ’90 and as a strategic step to expand A&T research and workforce impact. With the lab now established, the coming months will reveal how quickly program launches, partnerships, and student opportunities translate into measurable economic benefits for Guilford County.