CMU computer science faculty member Dr. Razi Iqbal wins Best Presentation Award at International AI Conference

Dr. Razi Iqbal, a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science at Central Michigan University, was recently honored with the Best Online Presentation Award at the 2025 International Conference on Artificial Machine Learning and Data Science (AMLDS).

Iqbal’s presentation, titled “Intent-Driven Access Control List Configuration Based on Large Language Models,” stood out for its innovative approach to simplifying how people interact with network security systems. His work focuses on using artificial intelligence to bridge the gap between human language and complex technical commands.

“In this project, we proposed a lightweight language model that can take plain English instructions, like ‘block this IP address’ or ‘allow this device access to the server’, and translate them into precise technical commands a network can understand,” Iqbal explained. “It’s essentially a smart translator for network security settings.”

Traditionally, network administrators must manually configure access control lists (ACLs) using specialized syntax, which can be challenging and error-prone. Iqbal’s model aims to make this process more intuitive by allowing users to describe their intent in everyday language. The system then automatically generates the correct commands, making network management faster, easier, and more secure.

What sets the project apart is the model’s efficiency. “It’s lightweight, meaning it doesn’t need a lot of memory or computing power to run,” Iqbal said. “That makes it ideal for use in everyday network devices.”

The award-winning project was developed in collaboration with a faculty member from United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), highlighting the value of international research partnerships.

“The promising outcomes and future directions, like expanding the model to handle more complex network tasks, create exciting opportunities. I plan to involve both undergraduate and graduate students starting in Fall 2025,” he added.

Winning the Best Presentation Award is a significant milestone for Iqbal. “This recognition validates the quality of our work and the importance of international collaboration. It’s a proud moment, and a powerful motivator to continue pushing the boundaries of applied research.”

The AMLDS 2025 conference brought together researchers from around the globe to share advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Dr. Iqbal’s award-winning contribution exemplifies CMU’s growing reputation in cutting-edge research and global engagement.