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John McCary

Researcher, Security Data and Information
John McCary
johnmccary@arizona.edu

John McCary is an Adjunct Professor within the College of Information Science and on the Operations team within the Office of the Chief AI Officer. He teaches the Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) course within the College of Engineering and holds an MA in International Security Policy from Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program at the School of Foreign Service. 

McCary is a decorated combat veteran and a former commissioned Foreign Service Officer in the State Department. He was profiled in the Oscar-nominated documentary, Operation Homecoming. He worked at the artificial intelligence (AI) office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where he designed and led development of the classified TIGR software and hardware suite. McCary is a Certified Ethical Hacker and has developed multiple intelligence and analysis software for national security entities. He is a dedicated father of two who in his free time, enjoys exploring with his kids, muay thai, and country two-stepping, all activities that keep him light on his feet.