Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Everything
Artificial intelligence is the future, so much so that governments around the world are racing to remain competitive technologically as we get deeper and deeper into the 21st century. The American government has even deemed artificial intelligence “the center of the global technological revolution.”
And we can’t disagree with that. AI is everywhere and its increasingly ubiquitous nature has helped to both simplify daily life and push the boundaries of science and exploration by:
Reducing human error commonly found in arduous tasks like computer programming
Seamlessly processing and interpreting big data sets in significantly shorter amounts of time
Automating repetitive tasks and processes
Performing dangerous tasks that would expose humans to perilous risk, like rescue operations and deep sea explorations
Assisting doctors and surgeons in medical treatments, thus furthering the advance of modern medicine
These benefits, of course, occur at a high level. In daily life, AI benefits most of us through more mundane means like GPS technology, voice assistance on our smartphones and laptops, and other everyday applications that simply make our lives easier. Artificial intelligence is also not vulnerable to particularly human pitfalls like the need for sleep or sick days, making 24/7 productivity one of its most attractive features.
What used to be a science fiction fantasy seen only on Star Trek or The Twilight Zone is now becoming increasingly commonplace. As time goes on, the world will need more scholars with strong technical backgrounds to lead the charge in this global revolution.
AI and Academia
It’s not enough for our students to succeed in their Scholar Launch research programs; we also do all we can to train them to compete at the highest levels academically so that one day, they can be formidable players in their careers. Artificial intelligence falls under the umbrella of STEM, which encompasses some of the world's highest-paying and most competitive jobs. Therefore, students pursuing AI-related degrees must be prepared to hone their academic knowledge and technical skills early and often.
Computer science, for instance, is one of the fields that goes to the very heart of artificial intelligence. It is also one of the most competitive fields in the world, with The New York Times reporting that “the surge in student demand for computer science courses is far outstripping the supply of professors, as the tech industry snaps up talent.”
Between 2011 and 2021, the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at The University of Washington experienced a 400 percent increase in student interest in computer science, while the University of Wisconsin–Madison saw an 800 percent increase! Despite this heightened student interest and demand, however, the acceptance rate for CS programs at top universities globally is typically 10 percent or lower.
Other competitive academic fields students may want to explore as a precursor to a career in artificial intelligence include:
Data Science
Engineering
Robotics
Machine Learning
Business Analytics
Cybersecurity
By the time students start applying to these collegiate programs, they need to be able to demonstrate their commitment to the field via stellar grades and strategic extracurricular activities that prioritize mathematics, machine learning, software development, and more. That’s where we come in.
Researching AI with Scholar Launch
We work with various highly qualified academics who help us offer our students world-class educations in subjects ranging from anthropology to neuroscience. One mentor in particular, however, has been diligent in educating our students on the ins and outs of the future of technology.
A Professor of Mathematics and Director of Undergraduate Studies from the Georgia Institute of Technology, this faculty advisor specializes in computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and applied mathematics. Through his work leading group research programs and accelerated research programs (ARPs), he’s helped us to prepare our young scholars for this increasingly algorithmic world.
We know that having at least a basic understanding of the three elements that give shape to AI–technology, computer science, and mathematics–will give students a competitive advantage in almost any field of study they choose. So, this fall, our resident AI expert will be leading two group research programs and an ARP to offer our future computer scientists and tech gurus a cutting-edge education on the skills they’ll need to succeed in their education and compete at the highest levels:
Machine Learning: Theories and Applications (Accelerated Research Program)
Through these research programs, students will be exposed to the fundamentals of computer programming, learn to speak the language of Python, and get a behind-the-scenes look at computer software calculations. They’ll learn how machine learning can relate to disease diagnoses, real estate, and climate change while learning how to develop their own machine learning models.
This fall, we’re taking STEM research to a new level and inviting the most dedicated and ambitious students to join us on this journey. Artificial intelligence is the future, and we’re here to help students confidently walk toward it.
