In the heart of Downtown San Diego, Dean Roberts oversees the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering at the University of San Diego. A memory from his childhood lingers: the fateful day he stumbled upon a flight simulator toy named the ‘Jimmy Jet.’ This catalyst sparked his curiosity, steering him into a lifelong pursuit to understand the intricacies of machinery. As fate would have it, his mother foresaw a future that he had yet to comprehend: becoming an engineer. After shifting majors five times during his academic tenure, he eventually found his footing in engineering, leading him to the esteemed position of founding dean at the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering.
With the ten-year mark passing for the school, Dean Roberts finds himself reflecting upon the past decade and the transformations he’s witnessed. His most recent fascination emerges in the form of ChatGPT, an open-source artificial intelligence creation. As this innovative technology evolves rapidly, he keenly recognizes that the world is progressing at a pace that exceeds his expectations. In the coming years, ChatGPT and similar systems will greatly impact the professional and educational lives of engineers and computer scientists alike.
To better understand this imminent revolution, one must first peer into the realm of big data. Frequently, Dean Roberts sits among ambitious entrepreneurs as they pitch their prospective ventures. Within their presentations, a common motif arises: the value of data. As a cornerstone of numerous companies, data serves as an invaluable commodity – ripe for collection and utilization.
Titans of industry, from Google to Amazon, amass colossal amounts of data through their respective platforms. Our digital footprints are meticulously documented, divulging details about our browsing habits, purchasing patterns, and social interactions. The power of data extends beyond the realm of commerce, proving instrumental in fields including transportation, logistics, and even diplomacy.
Substantial strides have been made within the healthcare industry, attributable to the proliferation of big data. An increasing number of individuals have undergone genome sequencing to uncover their roots or glean vital medical insights. Physicians can leverage this expansive genetic data to provide tailored diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients. The potential of data in healthcare is unprecedented, with some experts speculating that we may possess the ability to dictate our progeny’s genetic traits with enough analyzed data.
Artificial intelligence (AI) intersects with the big data paradigm, amplifying its capabilities. Defined as the engineering of intelligent devices, AI encompasses everything from computers to robots and smartphones. By mimicking human abilities at a remarkably accelerated pace, AI serves as the bridge between human cognition and supremely efficient decision-making.
The rapid advancement of AI has led to a plethora of intelligent tools at our disposal, capable of enhancing our analysis of big data. ChatGPT stands as one of these groundbreaking innovations, capable of authoring papers, drafting computer programs, and synthesizing comprehensive data summaries. Moreover, with the emergence of ChatGPT’s rivals and the entrance of new competitors, the AI landscape continues to diversify, fostering unparalleled growth.
The rise of these cutting-edge technologies promises to usher in an age of flourishing augmented reality and increasingly sophisticated robotic companions. A 2018 survey conducted by Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute unveiled intriguing predictions from hundreds of AI researchers. By 2024, artificial intelligence may possess the capability to translate languages, perform autonomous truck-driving tasks by 2027, and even work retail by 2031. The most daring forecasts claim that AI could function as a surgeon by 2053, and potentially outperform humans in all tasks within 50 years.
Witnessing the prowess of ChatGPT, Dean Roberts cannot help but surmise that these projections may be overly conservative. The true potential of AI may likely exceed our wildest expectations and manifest at a far more rapid pace than anticipated.
Contemplating these extraordinary prospects, educators like Dean Roberts shoulder the immense responsibility of equipping future generations of engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate this brave new world. This process involves not only fostering technical proficiency, but also instilling awareness of the ethical, just, and humane implications of emerging technologies.
The objective transcends mere technological mastery, pushing students to evaluate the implications their innovations may have on the human condition. Facilitating this holistic mindset is essential for driving progress while thoughtfully evaluating potential repercussions.
Operating under the conviction that cultivating an ethical and empathetic framework is essential to being an effective leader, Dean Roberts believes that his students will possess the wherewithal to make a lasting impact on society. By keeping people at the forefront of their pursuits, they can make meaningful strides in the face of ever-evolving technology.
Guided by the knowledge of their potential social influence, future engineers must remain cognizant of their responsibility to safeguard human welfare. Fostering this awareness is an integral aspect of their education, equipping them with the discernment required to tackle the challenges technology may unleash.
As the future unfolds in the digital ether, technology and artificial intelligence thrive at the intersection of progress and responsibility. Laypeople and engineers alike must embark on a lifelong quest to understand these evolving forces, embracing both the opportunity and the ethical considerations that accompany them.
Originally featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune, this transformative journey into the realm of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence serves as a glimpse into a future defined by innovation and tempered by empathy. In such a world, the dreams of futurists may become an attainable reality.
