Posted on

AI – 1

I attended the FLA quarterly on Nov. 14 at FNC and was intrigued by its CEO’s presentation on AI. Couple of things stand out which begs a follow-up reading over the weekend.

1. AI- Driven Software Engineering

2. Transparent AI

On Transparent AI, it’s the fear that AI would one day surpass human’s intelligence and posses the ability in making autonomous decisions. These AI decision making process can be opaque to human, with potential of being harmful or detrimental to humankind. Hence T-switch is born: Transparent (or Trust) vs. Opaque AI.  [1]

On AI-Driven SW Engineering, straightforward interpretation could be that AI can identify SW bugs and amend them in real time. This means AI :

  • can recognize, understand and produce codes
  • has logical thinking, synthetic reasoning and correlation skills
  • is capable of making decisions
  • can act on the decision it concludes
  • able to learn and improve from its own trials & errors

The above capability reflects what’s AI is defined:

AI is the branch of computer science which deals with intelligence of machines where an intelligent agent is a system that takes actions which maximize its chances of success.  AI is broadly characterized as the study of computations that allow for perception, reason and action. AI is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs.

AI is the science and engineering making intelligent machines — John McCarthy

It makes sense to me at this point, with limited readings, that AI would be effective in SW Engineering and would one day be able to identify bugs and amend them in realtime, to help software development efficiency/speed with potential of more and heavier impacts. It’s high time to learn AI and become actively involved in exploring AI applications in SW Engineering and perhaps also optical networking technological domains.

[1] Artificial Intelligence in Business: Balancing Risk and Reward by Dr. Rob Walker, Pegasystems

[2] How Will AI Impact Software Development https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/08/31/how-will-ai-impact-software-development/#63081d08264d

 

 

 

Posted on

A day with FIRST Robotics Competition at Greenhill

Greenhill Hosted its FIRST Robotics Competition Nov. 11, 2017. It was a fun day of learning and growing for all involved.

Greenhill senior science teacher Maria Suarez worked with Regional director Patrick and the Judge Advisor Freid planned and hosted this event. There were 6 Judges among which I am a Rookie (new). (Richard from Plano independent league, Jeff Greenhill Science teacher, Stacy the Plano West Science teacher and robotics club host and three other Greenhill parents ;  Two dozens or so volunteers including referees, wifi director, score recorders, robot inspectors…). There were 14 Robotics teams.

I enjoyed the day thoroughly, learnt great deal about FRC and was inspired in multiple ways.

1) FIRST FRC is for high school student. The focus is to inspire student to be a future STEM leaders with well-rounded skills including Thinking, Connecting, Innovation, Designing and Motivation. Teams exhibiting all these aspects throughout their competition period would be awarded with The Inspirations of the competition, together with the game finalist. As obviously represented by the above categories, FRC redefines “winning” by rewarding teams for demonstrated design thinking, systematic engineering progression, team collaboration, community outreach, Gracious Professionalism,  the abilities to overcome obstacles.

2) There are three robot competency including autonomous, controlled drive and reach/range. Each robots would be scored based on their performances in the field. The field layout is different every year.

3) The FRC is all put together by the passionate volunteers from all walks of live including parents, teachers, educational practitioners etc.. Many are returning volunteers for years. They found the meaning in spending their personal time helping to build the future STEM leaders. I personally found the enormous joy being part of the event last Sat..

It was an awesome uplifting feeling watching the students continuously perfecting their robots during the wait periods, intensely working with their robots competing in the field with Gracious Professionalism,  anxiously  waiting in high anticipation at the award ceremony and finally receiving the awards on stage. Many who were part of the day went home with fulfilled and gratifying feeling as I do, I know Bill did.

Thanks to Greenhill for hosting this meaningful event, thanks to the many volunteers for sharing your precious personal time promoting STEM through FRC, and thanks to the students being the inspirational players and the highlights of the day.