Words of Wisdom

💡 Investing in the Future: Cyber + AI = Leadership

The University of South Florida (USF) is making a power move with a $40M gift from Arnie and Lauren Bellini to establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing—the first U.S. school to combine AI and cybersecurity in one program. This is a huge step toward positioning the U.S. for leadership in the AI-driven future.

Bellini is betting on Tampa Bay becoming “Cyber Bay,” mirroring the tech-education synergy that made Silicon Valley dominant. The new college will launch with eight degrees (including master’s and doctoral programs) and aims to enroll 5,000 students within three years. Importantly, it will focus on real-world training with local companies, addressing the talent gap that’s left over 543,000 cybersecurity positions unfilled in North America alone.
This is the kind of investment that changes the game. AI and cybersecurity will define the next century, and building talent pipelines like this keeps the U.S. competitive. Local investment from successful entrepreneurs isn’t just good for business—it’s critical for national security and technological dominance.

The future belongs to those who innovate and protect their innovations. Bellini is laying the groundwork for both.

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