Blog 1. HVAC, sensors, AI, database and future. 

For this first blog post the task was to investigate a few assigned topics, evaluate them and write about them. For the group I am in the topics were HVAC, sensors, AI, database and future. The topics are seemingly very different and don’t have anything in common. However, I think there is a clear connection. My approach to this post was about how I could convey that connection to the reader. Let’s see if it worked out. 

The AI seems like a good point to start with.

One of the articles that caught my attention was the one by Lindsey Ellis titled “Hey, Alexa, Should We Bring Virtual Assistants to the Campus? These Colleges Gave Them a Shot”. That talks about ASU and Georgia Tech students’ experiences with Echo Dots. There were 60 of the devices distributed and they were given basic data access to students schedules and grades. The participants struggled at first to incorporate the devices in their everyday life, however, after certain time the devices became essential in helping students to deal with common tasks. The challenge that was faced during this experiment was due to lack of centralized database.

In the past couple years AI went from being a “scary robot” from a science fiction movie to something most people with smartphones and laptops are exposed to every day. With the introduction of virtual assistant home devices any home can be converted into a smart home and customized based on the user’s preferences. 

Which brings us to the next two articles that I read about HVAC and sensors. 

”5 New Technology Trends Reshaping the HVAC industry” by Grainger introduces five unique approaches to HVAC systems. Major part in HVAC improving is reducing power consumption without reducing functionality. One of the tactics is creating a smart HVAC that not only able to alert the user about maintenance but using improved sensing array adjust thermostats, or airflows in the different parts of the building based on the usage and not only settings. The improved sensing array can be created using the sensors that were introduced by Angela Lang in “Here Comes the Thermoelectric future: We Tried Out the Next Generation of Self-Powered Sensors”. The sensors that were introduced, not require any external batteries and being powered up by thermal energy.

So imagine a building that is “inhabited” by an AI. But not just any AI -  it has access to a vast database (such as internet) if there is any information needed, it controls smart HVAC that is self-maintained and can diagnose any flows in its functioning, it is monitoring multiple sensors inside to provide the best internal environment and it is also able to store the data for future evaluation. There are buildings like that out there and with the development of the modern technology they are not the future anymore, they are present.

Sources 

1. 5 New Technology Trends Reshaping the HVAC industry. Grainger,12/2016, https://www.grainger.com/content/supplylink-5-trends-reshaping-hvac-industry?ef_id=CjwKCAiA6vXwBRBKEiwAYE7iS-4Chlv1ArRPRo82RayOF-9XliG8e5HbNAV2lY0wfTkDKio3qshYKRoC8DwQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!380017044231!b!!g!!&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PPC
2. Angela Lang, Here Comes the Thermoelectric future: We Tried Out the Next Generation of Self-Powered Sensors. CNET, January 4, 2019, https://www.evernote.com/pub/view/aengineer/ae-510/d565a408-79a7-44b4-b4f6-b3f163bfb79a?locale=en#st=p&n=d565a408-79a7-44b4-b4f6-b3f163bfb79a
3. Lindsey Ellis. Hey, Alexa, Should We Bring Virtual Assistants to the Campus? These Colleges Gave Them a Shot. Technology, August 02, 2018, https://www.evernote.com/pub/view/aengineer/ae-510/cff1e0c7-03cd-4181-8f63-6a134b024f2b?locale=en#st=p&n=cff1e0c7-03cd-4181-8f63-6a134b024f2b

Comments.

Andre Morris post

I like that your post concentrates on looking at the topic from a different prospective. It is very true that most of the time we only focus on the benefits of the inventions and technology in general forgetting to evaluate the other side. However, I also want to point out that the society changes as well and the norms of the society evolve constantly. Some things that were not appropriate couple centuries ago are parts of our everyday activities nowadays. So we can not predict that future generations will have similar attitude to the topic as we do

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/investigating-concerns-of-smart-city.html?showComment=1579032304054

Amanda Kolar post

I really like the article that you picked to talk about AI. It is a major concern and there is a lot of talk in the world about how rapidly the workforce needs change and how the "revolution" going to influence unemployment. The other side of the problem is how the education needs to be modernized in order to fulfill the new changes and demands. It is an interesting time we are all living in.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2403473360137505969&postID=3102666535582708709&page=1&token=1579033253944&isPopup=true

B1: Douha Alqudaihi (Future, AI, Computer, and Software)

This blog illustrates three topics that are related to our current and future life including AI, Computer and Software.

AI

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in our life. It is in our pockets, houses, street, and schools. In schools, online classes and all the website pages staring from registering courses according to your graduation plan till ordering your transcript. These are all databases and tables that have been created to form these networks and to help the students in their education path. Not only students get the advantage of these systems, but also professors and teachers. It helps them in their grading and teaching. In the article “ The Machines Are Learning, and So Are the Students”, Craig S. Smith has discussed that by giving examples of teachers’ experiences with AI. An algebra teacher, Jennifer Turner, uses AI in her grading and in her lectures to make students attracted and don’t feel bored. Both teachers and students are satisfied with the new technology that makes their life easier. For example, online classes where you can attend a class while you are at home. This had helped many mothers who want to have a degree, but still, need to take care of their kids. Also, online lectures can be saved till the end of the term which is something I like because students can go back to them whenever they want. My grades in the courses which have online lectures are higher than the ones that don’t.  

Computer and Software

Would computers including software, and robots take employees' place? Actually, it does take a lot of human hands off their jobs. However, computers and robots can be used to help humans not to take their places because they still had to be managed by them. These electronics can increase the productivity of a company. For example, we all use Amazon, and we could set an order that has many items. Imagine how many consumers could order from amazon, how many items in their orders and these have to be shipped during an estimated date. The orders are set online but there is always someone to help you with any problem faces you with the website. The one who helps you is human not a robot. Therefore, online assistance agent is a new job that is wasn’t exist before the online shopping websites.

According to the article “ Inside an Amazon Warehouse, Robots’ Ways Rub Off on HumansInside an Amazon Warehouse, Robots’ Ways Rub Off on Humans”, orders are being reviewed by their employees and it goes through many of them to make sure there is no mistake occurring. Robots and software are also being used in Amazon’s warehouses to separates the products. I would say that these employees wouldn’t work in this company without this database which is the Amazon website because basically, this is how the company works. Therefore, robots, software, and computers are created for us to help us. I feel that humanity will live with robots in the following decades.

However, some people will disagree with these technologies because they think it doesn’t provide privacy. In the article “Twelve Million Phones, One Dataset, Zero Privacy” Stuart A. Thompson and Charlie Warzel argue that many companies using their software spy on people’s phones and attack their privacy as their personal information, images, and locations. I agree that some companies that are unsecured could do that using different methods like phone calls, messages and emails, and trick people. Therefore, people have to be careful while using an unknown source. If we saw it from a different perspective, we could realize that software can also be used by the FBI. They can track criminal’s phones and know their locations easily.   

Resources:

1- Smith, Craig S., "The Machines Are Learning, and So Are the Students", Dec. 18, 2019.

https://www.evernote.com/pub/view/aengineer/ae-510/c9d1ed39-ec37-4d05-bfbc-27a5de6c060c?locale=en#st=p&n=c9d1ed39-ec37-4d05-bfbc-27a5de6c060c

2- "Inside an Amazon Warehouse, Robots’ Ways Rub Off on HumansInside an Amazon Warehouse, Robots’ Ways Rub Off on Humans", Jan. 07, 2020. 

 https://www.evernote.com/pub/view/aengineer/ae-510/90ec6b1c-5c00-4bac-9422-76badeb3b6a4?locale=en#st=p&n=90ec6b1c-5c00-4bac-9422-76badeb3b6a4

3- Thompson, Stuart A., Warzel, Charlie, "Twelve Million Phones, One Dataset, Zero Privacy", Dec. 19, 2019. 

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510?linked=017d91b0-775e-4b3e-a37e-581c1cb39eed&newReg=false#b=3ca5dd9b-8b1c-4939-875f-262706dc1487&st=p&x=software&n=b8f53f84-ca97-42b0-b569-4a0ed16bb151

Comments:

1-

Reece,
I have been attracted to your article from the first sentence. You brought up a good point about how we all have the same device, but it could be useless somehow. I haven't thought of it before, but you are right because in my phone, I have all that I want, what I need, all my information, my documents, and folders. As you mentioned, we have to log in to use some of the applications. It would be easy if I logged in using my phone because with the new face scan technology, everything can be unlocked with your face. That sounds funny, but this is the truth.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/reece-masucci-b1.html

2- 

Michael,
It seems that we have something in common. I read the same article and wrote about it. However, I disagree that AI is replacing teachers and tutors because everything is created and modified by them. I mean for example if we consider the online tutorials like videos are tutors, they are actually created and shared by the teachers. Therefore, AI can be used as a tool to help teachers with their work.
I agree with your point which is that students can have a better opportunity to express themselves in school because they could make relations, meet other students and study together. This also could improve the student's creativity by exchanging thoughts with others.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/michael-manley-b1.html

3-

Abigail,
Regarding your part about the future, technology is everywhere in our lives like sensors. How complicated this technology is, and you find it mostly in every device. As you mentioned your smartwatch has a sensor that can count your steps and your heartbeats. Also in smartphones, cars, and buildings. Most of the constructions have a fire sprinkler system that uses sensors that gives alarms in case of emergencies. In addition to that, it can auto control the temperature in the building by an HVAC system. Actually, my dad uses the sensor lights in our house to reduce electricity consumption.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/blog-post-1.html?showComment=1579031203173