FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGIES
Artificial intelligence, Microcontrollers, and the internet of things
We are living in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Every time you use your computer or phone, it is likely that your actions are being monitored by an AI programmed to learn your usage patterns. It was predicted by Ray Kurzweil, futurist and director of engineering at Google that by 2045, a global technological singularity is going to occur. Simply put, a technological singularity implies the point at which artificial intelligence will exceed human intelligence and will move society into an age of exponential technological growth never seen before. It is in this technologically advanced society that GEN2050 students will be tasked to navigate and survive.
In Don Tapscott’s 1995 book The Digital Economy: Promise and Peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence, the author predicted that as we become more technologically advanced as a society, there will exist two groups; the “Digital have’s, and the Digital have not’s”. The author postulates that the only way to not become a “Digital Have Not”, is to embrace technology and grow with it as it exponentially evolves and changes. ELEGOO Corporation has recognized this need to learn and grow with technology and has created microcontroller-based development kits, for developers, educators, students, and lifelong learners to provide a learning environment to obtain critical skills needed to thrive and advance in this rapidly moving age of technology.
Image by ELEGOO.
LEARNING ELECTRONICS AND PROGRAMMING WITH ELEGOO UNO
The Internet of things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects or "things"—that are embedded with sensors, microcontrollers, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet. These “things” come in all forms including devices and appliances such as lighting fixtures, thermostats, home security systems, cameras, and other home appliances. IoT devices are used in many industries, and understanding how they work, are programmed, and how they are interconnected, is an up-and-coming critically needed skillset.
GEN20250 chose the ELEGOO UNO R3 Super Starter Kit as the development platform to aid in teaching students about electronics and programming. Based on the famous Arduino microcontroller platform, the UNO microcontroller circuit boards can be used as the brains for almost any electronics project. UNO can interact with buttons, LEDs, motors, speakers, GPS units, cameras, the internet, and smartphones or televisions. By connecting the UNO board with a personal computer via a USB cable and uploading programs to the board, students can create digital devices and interactive objects that can sense and control objects in the physical and digital world. Working with the UNO development kit will introduce GEN2050 students to the skills needed to interact with IoT devices and interfaces.
Image by Steven Combs.
GEN2050 TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS
At 10 years of age, David C. Freeman was given a Radio Shack electronics lab as a present. From that moment on, he knew wanted to have a career in the computing industry. He has spent over 30 years learning about computers, electronics, and programming. He received a Bachelor’s degree from DeVry University in Electronics Engineering Technology, and a Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. Over the course of his career, David has worked in a variety of settings as a computer science professional: Technician at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) building parallel processing computers, as an IT administrator at the Advanced Photon Source Project at Argonne National Laboratory, as a Game Developer at LearningSoft, and Information Systems Specialist at The Children's Trust. Currently, he is the Director of IT and Data Management at Peacemaker Family Center at Trinity Church. He is passionate about teaching and inspiring others to embrace what he has come to know as the future and a viable means to creating wealth. David is honored to teach and impart to GEN2050 program participants from the many years spent riding this technological wave.
Cameron Cooper is an architectural designer with a passion for the convergence of architecture, technology, and art. His interests have led him to further exploration into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Originally from Miami, Florida, Cameron received a Master of Architecture (MArch) from Florida International University. Mr. Cooper was a project designer at Vines Architecture in Raleigh, North Carolina and an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Currently, he is the Principal at Cameron Cooper Studios.
Dr. Jesse Johnson is an accomplished management consultant/economist /analyst/researcher in the areas of economic, systems and strategic analysis; covering the interface of economics, business and technology; with a history of successfully developing innovative, fact and analytical-based solutions to large, complex and unstructured problems. Most of the focus in his professional career has been in the Aerospace Sector.
His areas of expertise include Studies and Analyses related to the Satellite/Space Industry using a skill set that includes Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis, Industrial Base, Mitigation Strategy Development, Industrial Organization, Technology Investment Strategy, Game Theory, New Program Analysis including Contract Negotiation and Analysis, Competitive Analysis/Intelligence, Quantitative Methods and Analysis, Strategic Decision Making, Non-traditional Optimization Applications.
Dr. Jesse Johnson currently serves as a Senior Project Engineer in the Acquisitions and Advanced Research Group of Aerospace Corporation. Prior to taking this position he served as a Space Economist in the Economic and Market Analysis Center of Aerospace Corporation for more than 12 years.
Dr. Johnson was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and grew up in Stowe, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Pottsgrove High School in Pottstown, Pa., and is the newest inductee into the Pottsgrove High School Hall of Fame. Dr. Johnson holds a BSE Degree in Systems Science and Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He also earned MSE and Engineer’s Degrees from Stanford University School of Engineering in Engineering-Economic Systems. His PhD is from the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in Systems Analysis and Economics. Dr. Johnson began his professional career as Space Shuttle Navigation Engineer for Rockwell International then moved to the then new Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in Palo Alto, CA. Post -Stanford Dr. Johnson joined the Faculty of the new Engineering School at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD where he served as a member of the Industrial Engineering Faculty. Dr. Johnson spent 12 years at Logistics Management Institute in McLean, VA as an Airline/Airspace Analyst. Dr. Johnson recently retired from Aerospace Corporation.