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At the Chamber’s Business EXPO in June, Columbus’ very own, George Pate, gave a dynamic discussion and information sharing session on AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Cyber Security. The discussion sparked the idea of finding out what and who we have in the Columbus and Colorado County regions that work in or have an interest in technology.
If this is you, join us Monday, August 12, at 5:15 as this group of tech minded people gather at Create Space (717 Walnut Street, Columbus, 78934) to begin a conversation about the importance and challenges of technology. As Zach Venghaus stated, “I think this is a great opportunity for people to see the impact technology has on their lives.”
Case in point is the recent global software outage from an update performed by Crowd-Strike, an Austin based company whose specialty is protecting from cyberattacks. This highlights the need for continued and expanded expertise. (Read more here: https:// www.reuters.com/technology/global-cyberoutage- grounds-flights-hits-media-financial- telecoms-2024-07-19/ and here: https:// www.nytimes.com/2024/07/20/technology/ crowdstrike-microsoft-outage-software. html.)
In, Top 10 Challenges Facing Technology in 2024, an article written by Ashley Watters, discusses multiple facets of technology that many of us may be completely unaware of such as: AI, Sustainable Technology, Platform Engineering, Quantum Computing, Spatial Computing, Technical Debt versus Technical Wellness, Edge AI, Cyber Resilience versus Avoidance, and cites ‘IT Talent Still Fails to Meet Demand’ (https://connect. comptia.org/ blog/top-10- challenges-facing- technology).
Who understands all of those?
Bringing understanding of technology in a larger measure is something we hope to accomplish, which leads to a long interest in growing a STEM presence in our rural communities.
In the article, WHAT IS STEM? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW by Krystal DeVille, Deville states that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is “about interconnecting these fields to solve real-world problems rather than studying them in isolation.” And that STEM is “a fusion recipe that blends four basic ingredients to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow” (https://stemeducationguide.com/what-isstem/).
NASA takes great interest in STEM and make “vital investments in a diverse portfolio of learning opportunities and activities designed to reach as many U.S. students as possible – from kindergarten through graduate school” (https://www.nasa.gov/learning- resources/).
Texas has T-STEM; the “T-STEM initiative seeks to increase the number of Texas students who study and enter STEM fields” (https://www.edtx.org/our-impact-areas/ college- career- readiness/college- and- career- readiness-models/texas-stem).
Our world is no longer horse and wagons or cars run only with gasoline. No longer dial or push-button phones or typewriters with carbon sheets between the pages to receive an immediate copy. Neighbors sitting on the porch watching kids play around the neighborhood are rare. Rather we have the internet that connects us immediately worldwide and we have experts in Columbus who work in STEM related fields. Join us Monday, August 12, at 5:15 at Create Space, 717 Walnut Street, Columbus, to begin a conversation of the importance and challenges of, and what has become a need for technology.
