New Society 5.0 Certificate; AI Discussion Series; PIT Opportunities; and More

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Many of the stories today about artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality and other emerging technologies focus on the scary stuff—the dangers, the risks, the potential end of humanity as we know it. Dr. Nick Zingale, an associate professor at the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education and a co-director of the TECH Hub at CSU, wants to focus on the positive. “There’s a real opportunity to reverse the current economic trend we have that is not healthy for us as a society—the separation between people who have resources and assets and those who do not. I see these technologies as an opportunity to level that playing field and provide access and to democratize experiences,” he said.

Learn more about how he is driving an initiative known as Society 5.0. Designed to confront big questions concerning human-machine interfaces, knowledge formation, privacy, security and what constitutes life and the living, the initiative is anchored by a new 10-credit, interdisciplinary graduate certificate.

READ THE Q&A

SEE CERTIFICATE FLYER

TECH HUB EVENTS

To Use ChatGPT or Not to Use? That is the question.

The irony is not lost on Dr. Kelle DeBoth Foust, a TECH Hub co-director, that she uses ChatGPT to make test questions harder so students can't use ChatGPT to answer them. On Tuesday, October 24, at a discussion hosted by the TECH Hub, nearly 20 faculty and students shared how they are—or aren't—using ChatGPT, the generative AI application launched nearly a year ago by OpenAI.

PhD student Cameron LaMack, who facilitated the discussion, provided a thorough overview of AI technology and its various forms. He noted that AI is both a catch phrase and a catch-all for several different applications that can mimic human intelligence, and includes everything from technology that can replicate human touch to the more ubiquitous application of ChatGPT, which enables users to submit questions or prompts and receive a response. The purpose of the discussion was to better understand how faculty are thinking about and using AI, how it's influencing their work and how it's challenging what they thought they knew.

The rich conversation generated several ideas for additional TECH Hub programs in the spring. A full recap of the sessions will be included in next month's newsletter, after the second session on November 16.

There's still time to register for that session, which will also take place in Room 103 of Parker Hannifin Hall and include lunch. Come to learn and share your questions and ideas.

Thursday, November 16

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

PIT

Exciting Opportunities for Students

The Partnership for Public Service is a great resource for opportunities for students and recent graduates with an interest in technology for the good of everyone. Please share the following with those you know would be interested:

Explore the Partnership for Public Service's new Federal Internship Finder
The Spring 2024 Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program
The Summer 2024 Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program
The Summer 2024 Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations
The Cybersecurity Talent Initiative
Entry-level forestry positions at the U.S. Forest Service
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program
The Director’s Financial Analyst Program and the Pathways Internship at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Copper Cap Program for Contract Specialists at the U.S. Air Force Civilian Service
An accounting internship at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service
A computer science internship at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service
A hydrology internship at the Department of the Interior
The Payne International Development Fellowship at the U.S. Agency for International Development

AROUND CAMPUS

Mooney Center Launches

CSU President Laura Bloomberg, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Beth Mooney herself ushered in the launch of the new Beth E. Mooney Center for Transformative Leadership at CSU on October 2. More than 100 local leaders, faculty and others joined in the celebration, which took place in the Center's home, on the ground floor of Julka Hall. Christopher M. Gorman, chairman and CEO of KeyCorp, also spoke at the event. Inaugural Executive Director Shilpa Kedar served as master of ceremonies. The Center will support CSU’s community of students and lifelong learners in becoming leaders who transform the economic, civic and cultural life of Northeast Ohio through core curriculum, specialized courses, certificates, degrees, and other programs.

We see many synergies between the campus-wide Center and the TECH Hub, including our emphasis on interdisciplinary education and research and preparing students to lead in a tech-based world. We expect there to be joint programming with the Center in the near future.

AROUND CLEVELAND

IOTC at the FutureLAND Conference

The Internet of Things Collaborative (IOTC) was represented earlier this month at the FutureLAND Conference, an annual gathering of entrepreneurs, leaders and others celebrating diversity in tech, arts and culture in Northeast Ohio. The panel focused on connected devices and systems.

The IOTC is a partnership between CSU and Case Western Reserve University. The TECH Hub is an outgrowth of this partnership, meant to advance cutting-edge multi and transdisciplinary research related to IoT and digital innovations and build strategic initiatives that address community issues.

This is the monthly newsletter of Cleveland State University's (CSU) TECH Hub, designed as a resource for advisory board members, affiliates, faculty, and students. Questions? Reach out to TECH Hub Coordinator Sybilla Waltrip.