Many everyday technologies that help us move and communicate from place to place rely on interconnected digital infrastructure. As these networks become more complex, maintaining security and reliability becomes increasingly important.
Dr. Li Yang, an assistant professor in the School of Business and Information Technology at Ontario Tech University, researches artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques to enhance cybersecurity across modern digital environments, including smart infrastructure, Internet of Things devices, and advanced wireless networks.
“As technologies supporting services such as transportation and energy increasingly rely on interconnected systems, these environments create new opportunities for attackers and organizations face increasing challenges in detecting and responding to cyber threats,” said Dr. Yang. “This makes it important to design solutions that work reliably in real-world situations.”
AI approach to real-world environments
Dr. Yang’s research investigates how AI systems can identify anomalous activity, adapt to changing conditions, and support faster responses to potential risks.
His research involves automated machine learning approaches that enable the ability of models to update themselves as networks advance and detect newly evolving cyber threats. We’re also researching ways to make AI models more efficient so they can run continuously on devices with limited computing power.
Protecting emerging infrastructure
One area where this research has immediate applications is electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Charging networks connect drivers, service providers, payment platforms, and energy systems, creating multiple points where attackers can attempt to compromise systems. Threats can emerge through the network, when charging stations communicate with servers that manage sensitive data, and through physical access, such as when an attacker inserts a compromised USB device into a charging unit.
With support from the National Cybersecurity Consortium, researchers at Ontario Tech University are working to strengthen the cybersecurity of this infrastructure. Dr. Yang’s research plays an important role. His team is developing lightweight AI models (“TinyML”) that can interact with small devices such as Raspberry Pi and monitor charging stations in real time. The next stage of work will be to deploy these models in a real charging device to see how well they can detect new or unknown threats as they arise.
Training future AI experts
Dr. Yang also supervises more than 10 student researchers who are developing expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and responsible computing. Through hands-on research, students gain practical experience designing technologies that prioritize safety, reliability, and ethical considerations.
His work has been internationally acclaimed. In 2025, the IEEE Computer Society named Dr. Yang one of the top 30 early career professionals in computing.
