Guardians of the digital age start at QUT

As the world continues its rapid digital transformation, two fields stand out as critical to our future: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cyber Security. From how we work, learn and communicate, to how we secure our most sensitive data, these disciplines are redefining every aspect of modern life. Recognising the urgent global demand for skilled professionals, QUT has launched two new postgraduate programs for 2026 – the Master of Artificial Intelligence and the Master of Cyber Security – designed to equip students with the tools to build and secure the future.  

Led by world-renowned researcher Professor Craig Costello, these programs provide an exceptional learning opportunity for students who want to stand at the forefront of innovation. Professor Costello, a specialist in cryptographic security and quantum-safe computing, brings real-world insights to the classroom, helping students not only understand emerging threats but also prepare for careers at the leading edge of technology and digital defence.

“Cyber security and AI are converging rapidly”, Professor Costello says. “As AI becomes a more powerful decision-making tool, it also becomes a bigger target for cyber threats. It’s no longer enough to know one or the other – the next generation of professionals needs a deep understanding of both”.  

And the demand for talent in these sectors is rising sharply. According to recent Australian Government forecasts, an additional 30,000 cyber security professionals will be needed by 2026, while AI-related job roles are expected to grow by 25% globally over the next five years. Yet, as Professor Costello notes, “We’re not just talking about tech companies anymore. From finance to health, energy to defence, every sector now requires experts who can build smart systems and protect them”.  

QUT’s new programs are uniquely designed to respond to this challenge. The Master of Artificial Intelligence offers core training in machine learning, data science, and human-AI interaction, while the Master of Cyber Security prepares students in areas like network defence, cryptography, and ethical hacking. Recognising the growing overlap between AI and cyber security, both programs also incorporate foundational elements of the other – equipping graduates with a well-rounded skillset to meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected digital landscape. Delivered in close collaboration with industry, both programs feature real-world projects, professional placements, and exposure to emerging technologies, ensuring students graduate job ready.  

What sets these degrees apart is QUT’s commitment to real-world learning. Students gain more than just theoretical knowledge – they engage with industry professionals, work on live challenges, and learn from academics like Professor Costello, whose work is driving the future of secure computing. His research into quantum-resistance encryption is already making headlines globally, including in publications like Cosmos and Education Today, and is being used to help build the next generation of security protocols.  

For international students, studying these programs in Brisbane means joining a vibrant, multicultural city at the heart of one of Australia’s most innovative university environments. QUT is the ideal destination for ambitious students ready to launch a career in AI or cyber security. “The skills developed in these programs will not only future-proof your career”, Professor Costello says, “they will allow you to build, protect and influence the very systems that will shape the next decade of global progress”.