To the editor:

As an IT director at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, I see firsthand how technology is advancing medicine and changing lives for the better. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare by improving diagnostics, streamlining operations and helping healthcare professionals make faster, more accurate decisions. These advances aren’t just exciting — they’re saving lives.

But in today’s world, where threats from ransomware, phishing and foreign-backed cyberattacks are growing, cybersecurity has become synonymous with data security, national security and personal security. Hospitals, public institutions, small businesses and critical infrastructure across Ohio rely on safe, secure networks to operate.

With AI and digital systems becoming critical to everything from patient care to power grids, innovation without protection is a risk we can’t afford.

At Ohio State, we’re embracing AI while also making cybersecurity a top priority at every level. Our cutting-edge AI research is advancing medical care and our partnerships are training a cyber-ready workforce and strengthening digital infrastructure across the Buckeye state. These initiatives are showing how institutions in Ohio are already leading in both innovation and security.

But we can’t stop at the university level. Investing in a skilled cyber workforce, giving public and private partners the tools they need, and investing in American technology and innovators are crucial to staying ahead of constantly evolving threats. The United States must support policies that fuel innovation without burying our tech sector and businesses in red tape.

Jane Mowery,

Newark, Ohio