Jump Start Juniors attendees see STEM in action - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/Jump%20Start%20Juniors

Students attending an annual STEM expo at Capitol Technology University saw a demo of advanced-level drones and got a firsthand look at technology that can scan human thoughts, among other activities Friday (May 4).

The Jump Start Juniors expo, hosted by Capitol each spring, provides a showcase of academic and career paths in computer cience, technology, engineering and math and offers participants a glimpse into life at an engineering and tech-focused university.

During a session at Capitol’s new Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) workshop, researchers on the project demonstrated not only that machines can be equipped to read minds, but that humans can be wired to control devices directly with their thoughts.

Two Capitol professors, Dr. Garima Bajwa and Dr. Jason M. Pittman, are conducting NSF-funded research in this area, with a particular focus on the security risks.

For the participants, it was an opportunity for an up-close look at something they may have read about but not witnessed firsthand.

 “There’s a wow factor involved in someone trying to hack your brain,” said Meghan Young, director of admissions. “A number of the students who came said they had never seen something like this before.”

Approximately 100 students from STEM high schools in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC attended the expo and had an opportunity to discover what Capitol has to offer. In addition to the drone and brain-machine interface demos, they also saw astronautical engineers command virtual spacecraft at Capitol’s Space Flight Operations Training Center (SFOTC), and learned – during a session at the university’s Cyber Lab – some of the techniques cyber warriors use to battle hackers.

Capping the event, drone operators from Textron Corporation – which is partnering with Capitol to develop undergraduate and graduate programs in unmanned and automated systems – piloted some of the industry’s biggest and wildest drones before a rapt crowd on the Capitol campus.
The event brought home a signature aspect of Capitol’s approach to engineering and technology education: an emphasis on hands-on.

Programs at the university are designed not only to teach students concepts and knowledge, but to give them solid practice in applying that knowledge – often to areas that are at the cusp of innovation.

“These kinds of demos convey to the students, in a really striking way, the potential that exists in the engineering and tech fields that we specialize in here at Capitol. These are the kinds of technological innovations that they would be working with, should they come here for their university education,” Young said.

Interested in learning more about the exciting, cutting-edge programs at Capitol? Contact admissions@captechu.edu for more information.

www.CapTechU.edu

Intelligent Systems in Automobiles: AI in the Automotive Industry - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/intelligent%20systems%20in%20automobiles

Self-driving cars aren’t here yet, but they aren’t the only new type of driving experience coming to consumers. Intelligent systems are connecting your car to the cloud, and vehicles that use this technology are already available, right now.

Toyota, Lexus, Tesla, Chrysler, Kia, Audi, and Mercedes are just some of the car companies that have already released vehicles which are cloud-enabled. Although these “smart cars” aren’t completely reliant on artificial intelligence in order to run, like self-driving cars are, they have covetable additional features made possible by intelligent systems technology. Here are just a few of the more appealing features made possible by smart car technology:
 
Improved Safety
Have you seen the commercials for those cars with sensors in them that will stop your vehicle for you if you get too close to hitting another car? That’s just scratching the surface of intelligent systems tech. This technology uses algorithms to predict the actions of the other vehicles on the road. It can stop your car from hitting another car, stop your car from hitting a pedestrian, help guide you when changing lanes, help to keep you in your lane with smart steering technology, or even predict traffic patterns to get you to your destination faster. More cars on the road with this technology would mean fewer accidents and improved travel times.

Mapping and GPS
Even though it can’t drive you there itself, your car is currently able to tell you how to get where you want to go. GPS technology in combination with intelligent systems is creating even more capabilities. Ford is currently looking into using artificial intelligence technology to help your car remember your driving habits and take you where you usually go at the times you usually go there. If you are a heavy user of Google Maps, this might make even more sense to you. Google Maps can remember your frequently visited destinations, and you can even program it to remember destinations like, home, work, and school. That kind of mapping technology is akin to what your car is able to use already with intelligent systems, but Ford is proposing to take it one step further with having your car suggest destinations for you based on your driving habits without you having to tell it to.

Weather and Traffic Monitoring
Using intelligent systems, your car is able to monitor things like inclement weather and bad traffic. With a link to the cloud, your car can see what’s going on in real-time to help you navigate your way around incidents to get you to your destination faster and safer.

Fuel Efficiency
This one is more for hybrid cars, than standard gas vehicles, but smart cars can detect when you are running low on fuel. The car can automatically switch itself to run on battery instead of gas for optimal energy usage. In the future, these cars may be able to anticipate entering low-emissions zones on your route and save enough battery power so that they can switch from gas to electric when you drive through those areas.

Intelligent systems are being incorporated into vehicles more and more frequently by manufacturers. These systems are created by Computer Scientists using complex algorithms and cloud linking. Analytics and the ability of these vehicles to forecast and predict the outcomes of programmable situations is another key factor in their ability to operate.

Capitol Technology University offers a highly regarded computer science program, as well as a few different analytics-based programs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) that could help you learn to design the smart cars of the future. To learn more about our programs, please contact admissions@captechu.edu or call 1.800.950.1992.
www.CapTechU.edu

How business and data analytics is changing the transportation industry - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/how-business-and-data-analytics-is-changing-the-transportation-industry

Every time you fly on a plane or check into a hotel, you generate data – information that can, in theory, help companies beat their competitors while providing customers a richer, more personalized experience.

The right analytical tools, however, are needed for the transportation and hospitality industries to convert data points into findings that can drive business strategy. An increasingly rich array of sophisticated software can help companies navigate the flood of information and identify the trends that are most significant to their operations.

Meanwhile, a new generation of business analysts – trained in the use of such tools – is poised to transform strategic decision-making at their organizations.

“Having professionals on board who can understand and interpret the data from a business perspective is no longer simply an attractive option, but a necessity,” says Dr. Helen G. Barker, vice president of academic affairs at Capitol Technology University. Barker has been instrumental in developing the university’s new undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business analytics undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where the focus is on data-driven decision-making.
The transportation industry is a particularly fertile arena, due to the massive volume of information that service providers have been amassing for decades – often without being able to utilize it systematically. Being able to make effective use of data can yield an array of business advantages.

Here are a few:

• In a hypercompetitive market, being able to accurately forecast demand, and allocate resources accordingly, is crucial. “Vacant rooms, idle fleet, unoccupied seats or empty containers represent lost revenue,” a recent IBM report notes. At the same time, events such as severe weather – or a major sporting event – can alter the picture. Better analytics means being able to respond to fluctuating demand more quickly and effectively. 
• Companies can improve their pricing strategies if they have analytical tools that enable them to better gauge market conditions – and forecast conditions in the future, with the help of predictive analytics. 
• Airlines and hotels can better understand their customers, how to market to them, and how to attract them with special deals or packages.
   

The promise of data-driven decision-making is not limited to the private sector. It can also help federal, state, and local authorities better manage the nation’s transportation infrastructure, roadways, and public transit systems. Among the benefits:

• Public transportation systems can use live data to pinpoint route activity and better allocate resources. That means fewer empty buses cruising past stops where nobody waits, and fewer angry passengers struggling to secure a seat on a crowded bus at rush hour.
• Roadwork can be scheduled at low-volume times of the day or night; projects can be coordinated to cause the least amount of disruption to commuters.

“The great thing about data analytics is that you’re really in a position to bring about needed change,” Barker says. “You have tools and knowledge that can help organizations, whether public or private, improve the user experience.”

Want to learn more about how business and data analytics is revolutionizing transportation and other industries, and how Capitol programs can help you build a successful career in the field? Contact our admissions department today at admissions@captechu.edu.
www.CapTechU.edu

Intelligence and Consciousness: What's the Difference? - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/3731

By Jason M. Pittman, Sc.D.

Previously, we constructed a definition for intelligence. This definition enabled us to consider the nature of synthetic intelligence, whether we can detect it, and whether we can trust it.

However, the definition can only take us so far. Intelligence and consciousness are not the same thing. Further, much of the existing discussion surrounding artificial intelligence is really an attempt to suss consciousness. Such a claim engenders a litany of questions.

We can start here: what is the difference between intelligence and consciousness? Let’s find out!

Intelligence versus Consciousness

Let’s explore the idea that there are three forms of consciousness: natural, artificial, and synthetic. We (humans) have natural consciousness. Artificial consciousness -- artificial general intelligence as it is commonly referred to -- seeks to imitate natural consciousness. As you might expect, synthetic consciousness is real but not necessarily natural. Consciousness, in any category, is irreducible, which makes it difficult to tease apart why and what. Furthermore, categories don’t tell us anything about differences between types. To illustrate the difference between intelligence and consciousness, let’s use natural intelligence and consciousness for an example.

First, natural intelligence and natural consciousness both seem to be inextricably tied to the biological substrate we call a brain. Most would agree that a natural being without a brain has neither intelligence nor consciousness. Still, a natural entity with a brain may have intelligence only, consciousness only, or both. The human brain substrate is important because we have a plethora of examples where physical differences, pathologies, and traumatic injuries produce measurable effects on intelligence or consciousness.

Second, intelligence reliably fits somewhere on a gradient, the gradient being quantified through IQ. Thus, we can categorize natural intelligence along such a gradient and, in conjunction with other factors, render powerful predictions about how this intelligence will exist in the world. On the other hand, natural consciousness, for all intents and purposes, appears to be binary; either something is conscious or that something is not.
What about artificial or synthetic consciousness. then?

I see no evidence to suggest that artificial or synthetic consciousness need be tied to a specific substrate. Putting aside the argument for or against a computational theory of mind, all modern efforts to create artificial consciousness use a computer as the substrate. Presupposing that artificial consciousness is an obtainable goal, there’s no rational claim for that consciousness being psy-locked to a specific hardware arrangement. In fact, artificial consciousness ought to be transferable.

Synthetic consciousness is somewhere in-between natural and artificial. Plants, fungi, and colonizing insects all display a distributed consciousness (i.e., hive mind) at a broad level of resolution.  That seems to be transferable. Yet individual organisms seem to operate either without consciousness at all, or with a form of natural consciousness. Moreover, I think that non-natural consciousness is not discrete but rather continuous, much like natural intelligence. The weirdness here, the apparent confusion, indicates just how interlinked intelligence and consciousness can be at times.

This leads us to a critical, next question: can we distinguish between types of consciousness?
www.CapTechU.edu

Space (Policy) is Unforgiving - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/Space%20policy%20is%20unforgiving

By Sandy Antunes, Associate Professor, Capitol Technology University

Image courtesy of xkcd.com

Did you know there's a list of items you can't launch into space?  You can't launch fuel, sealed containers, air, loose stuff, parts that can't handle a vacuum, or things in general that could cause damage. There are good reasons for such restrictions.

Space is hostile. A vacuum does not only mean no air to breathe, or no pressure. It also means that water, oil, and other liquids will evaporate, that materials will dry out and desiccate and maybe shatter, and that sealed pressure contains will pop. Sunlight is unfiltered, so space is alternately unforgivingly stove-hot at +120 C (240 F) in sunlight and colder than Antarctica at -120 C (-184 F) when the sun is blocked by the Earth. Plus, there's extra ultraviolet and X-ray radiation to mess up your electronics (or your DNA, should you venture there).

The rocket flight up adds in lots of thundering vibration and shaking and heavy G-forces squishing your payload.  Rockets are giant towers of potentially explosive fuel built with a minimum of metal to protect them, because extra metal would make the rocket heavier and require more fuel.  So they are a balance between the minimum needed to get the job done, with just enough safety margin to make them likely to succeed.

Our payloads can't have pressure vessels containing gases or liquids, because they are likely to rupture during launch or upon arrival into vacuum and contaminate and/or damage the rocket.  Even some ordinary electronics like capacitors are problematic in space. Loose materials, breakable materials, or flammable materials are obviously right out.

Sadly, that means propellant systems for moving your CubeSat -- like compressed air or fueled thrusters -- aren't allowed.  A 'Do No Harm' mission like our Cactus-1 CubeSat is guided by the need to minimize risk to other payloads, or to the rocket, should the satellite break upon launch. CubeSats must be low risk because they are 'ride along' payloads on rockets hoisting larger commercial, military, or scientific payloads.

"Safety Sat," pictured in the xkcd.com comic above, will never fly. Folks at NASA, however, have pitched a plan to allow scientifically-valid flights of 'risky' materials like liquids and pressure containers.  The idea is to have a CubeSat-only rocket, with no larger Class-A or Class-B payload to endanger. It's all CubeSats, all the way.

Rocket science has the reputation of being hard. That isn't because it's technically more difficult compared to other engineering fields -- it isn't. What makes rocket science different is the degree of precision needed. It has to work with first time, with no tweaks or repairs after you launch. Ingenuity is often required to get around the difficulties involved in sending machinery into space. Often, it is also needed in order to navigate another set of challenges: namely, the constraints of space policy.

www.CapTechU.edu

Privacy: Demand as Information Parity - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/3711

Jason M. Pittman, Sc.D.

Previously, I provided an overview on why the demand for privacy is rising. Based on that, I suggested that there were three qualities of information underlying the increasing demand. The first quality, parity of information, is the topic I want to address now. By addressing this component of privacy, my goal is to flesh more of my vision for the end of privacy.

We can describe information states as similar in concept to the states of matter (i.e., solid, gas, liquid, plasma) insofar as the same information object can transition between discrete conditions such as private, non-private, and associated child states. That is, private information consists of subordinate conditions such as private and for me only, private and for me and my family members only, and so forth. On the other hand, the state of non-private seems to consist of a single subordinate condition which is equivalent to open-access.

Now, parity exists when the state of my (or your) information is either

1. the same as others’ state such that we can exchange freely or
2. others are within the context of the state such that we can access the information without restriction.

Conversely, disparity indicates that there is an imbalance between information states. That is, my (or your) information is either

1. not the same as others’ state such that we cannot freely exchange information or
2. access is restricted in some manner such that there is a not an equitable exchange possible. In simple terms, one entity has more access while the other has less.

Here, we can consider location services data as an example. Location services is the vectoring of physical location through software services such as Google Maps, MyFitnessPal, and even cellular radio transmissions. There are cultures wherein location services data is not considered private whereas there are cultures in which the very idea of location services data being shared is evil incarnate. Naturally, there are cultures, and individuals within these cultures, that ascribe a privacy state to location services between these two extremes. Thus, the privacy afforded to location services as an information object is…flexible.

Flexibility does not negatively impact the concept of parity however. Parity of information is vital to open and vibrant systems. Systems in parity impart equal and consistent access to the same information across all individuals, equally. This means that all information is knowable by all parties to the same degree. Thus, the act of knowing is without restriction and without control.

That’s an ideal, however. In reality, to keep information parity or to keep information disparity in our favor, we demand privacy. Whether such privacy is control over information, limitations on the information, keeping information secret, or allowing no one to intrude upon our information, modern culture craves privacy.

My view is that this demand for privacy as a force of parity is misguided at best, malignant at worst. Before we reach that discussion, it will be helpful to explore a byproduct of information parity states: information as a currency. Currency is also the second quality of information pushing the growth in demand for privacy. Tune in next time for a discussion on the currency aspect of information and how such reveals more about why privacy must end.
www.CapTechU.edu

Commencement 2018: Meins sees robust growth in tech careers - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/Meins%20delivers%20Capitol%20commencement%20address

Marianne Meins has welcome news for Capitol Technology University’s Class of 2018: the world wants your skills.

“Outside of professional sports, perhaps no graduate in the Digital Age is more aggressively recruited, highly-sought-after or shamelessly courted than someone educated with a technology or engineering-related degree,” Meins said as she delivered the commencement speech Saturday (May 12) at Capitol’s campus in Laurel, MD.

Meins, vice president for critical infrastructure strategy at Parsons, had the numbers to back up her assessment. Estimates suggest 3.5 million positions will be open in cybersecurity by 2021, and skilled professionals are sought in other tech fields as well, she noted. The driving force: the globe’s quenchless demand for digital devices, networks, and services.

Four billion people use the internet. Half that number – two billion – use mobile phones. There are also two billion users of social networks. And the drive to apply technological solutions to a host of needs, whether personal or societal, continues unabated.
“Across disciplines and sectors, the demand for innovation continues to grow exponentially,” Meins told graduating students. “The advancement of smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and a new generation of space travel, needs you to fulfill the aspirations of a world in love with technology – and whose people rely on it more each day to make life safe, convenient and connected.”

Meins’s address capped a morning of celebration as Capitol’s newest graduates marked academic paths completed, hard work successfully accomplished, and degrees obtained. The Class of 2018 included more than 180 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree students, representing a broad range of business, computer science, engineering, and information technology fields.

The event was led by Dr. Bradford L. Sims, president of Capitol Technology University. Dr. Sims took office as the university’s eighth president in 2017, and was formally invested during a ceremony on April 20, 2018.

The commencement ceremony began with a stately procession from the university’s main building, with this year’s Avrum Gudelsky scholar, Sophia LoSchiavo, carrying the university flag.

She was followed by the university marshal, Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Antunes, who led the assembled trustees, administration, faculty, and graduating students along the pear-shaded university entranceway towards the commencement pavilion. Capitol’s commencement was live-streamed, and a video recording can be viewed on the university’s YouTube channel.

“It was a beautiful day to celebrate achievement,” said Dr. Antunes. “Congratulations to the Class of 2018!”
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Capitol lauded for integrating cyber into business courses - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/IACBE%20commendation

Want to be a savvy business leader? Increasingly, you’ll need to be cybersecurity-literate.

“If leaders don’t understand the need to protect data, or how to protect it, then we have a critical flaw in the organization," says Dr. Helen G. Barker, vice president of academic affairs at Capitol Technology University. "At the bare minimum, leaders need to be trained in the language of cybersecurity so they can properly contract these services and manage projects.”
The university has been at the forefront of efforts to incorporate a cybersecurity dimension within academic programs designed to train and educate the next generation of entrepreneurs, managers, and executives.

“We have an entire program – a bachelor’s degree in Management of Cyber and Information Technology – that is designed specifically to accomplish this," Barker notes. “We’ve had it for years, well ahead of what everyone else has been doing."

Last month, Capitol’s efforts were officially recognized by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

The accreditor’s board of commissioners “commends Capitol Technology University for the integration of cyber technology throughout the business program,” the IACBE said in a letter addressed to the university on April 27.

Commendations are awarded by the board in recognition of areas in which a school is demonstrating excellent performance, the letter said.

Capitol founded one of the nation’s first degree programs in cybersecurity and was the first to offer a doctorate in the field, starting in 2010.

“Our strong track record in the field is a resource that positions us well to add a cybersecurity dimension to other fields of study, “ Barker says. “We’re doing this in our astronautical engineering program, for instance – systems engineers need to be able to protect their satellites from being commandeered by others. The need is no less acute in business.”

“Unless we prepare our students to go out fully equipped in these areas, they are not going to be effective leaders,” she said.

Capitol, originally founded in 1927, specializes in business, computer science, engineering, and information technology. The university offers a wide variety of degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Want to learn more? Contact the admissions office at admissions@captechu.edu or phone 800-950-1992.
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Choosing a career path in Cybersecurity: Government or Industry? - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/choosing-career-path-in-cybersecurity

There are government jobs and industry jobs, and there’s contracting too. With so many career options, where should you go after you earn that cybersecurity degree?

We asked careers expert Sarah Alspaw, director of career development and student success for Capitol Technology University, about the differences in industry work versus government work for cyber experts and the pros and cons to each.

In terms of the federal industry, Capitol is in a prime location in the greater Washington, DC area to connect students to federal opportunities. “Location-wise, we are very close to Fort Meade. A lot of our students head towards the CIA and NSA,” says Alspaw, “but the FBI has some cybersecurity jobs available as well. Others of our students have gone contractor.”

“Contracting,” Alspaw explains, “is when a company or companies will contract with the federal government for work on a specific project. ICF international is a contracting company that probably hires the most of our students of any contractor, or at least within the last few years.”

“In the private industry there’s really two avenues,” Alspaw continues, “there are companies that really specialize in cybersecurity, so you go and work for a company like McAfee, or you could go work in the IT department of an organization where they have a cybersecurity component.”

“For example, that’s my understanding of what Under Armour is doing. Under Armour has a lot of cyber internships, and you wouldn’t necessarily assume that Under Armour is in the cyber business – and they’re not, right? They have an IT department where students are coming in and working in those areas. Discovery Communications is the same way, they have an IT department that needs some cybersecurity coverage, and it’s not necessarily a cybersecurity company,” Alspaw says.

“We’re also seeing private industry opportunities in cyber expand into healthcare, like for organizations that need HIPAA protections for example. Credit card companies are recruiting cyber experts as well. VISA was looking for an incident response person a couple weeks back.”

What are some of the pros and cons to working in private industry versus federal industry, and where does contracting fall in the scope of opportunities?

PROS and CONS
Government Work:

PRO – Longevity/Job Security
“If you want a career that you can stay in for a while, if you want job security, government is your shot.”
PRO – Pensions
“The government still does pensions, so if you do make a career out of it, you come out with a pension.”
PRO/CON – Repetitive tasks
“If you are the type of person that likes to do the same thing and really stick to one area and have that be your specialization, government is good for that, especially NSA. The CIA makes you switch positions every two years, but if you are the type of person that likes to do the same task every day this is for you.”
CON – Lower Salary
“They just don’t pay as well.”

Contracting Work:

PRO – Higher Salary
“Contractors will probably make 25 to 50 percent more, if not more than that, than government employees. If somebody works in government for 3 or 4 years, they can double their salary by coming out and contracting in private industry.”
CON – Limited/No Job Security
“There are some organizations that place you into a new contract when your contract is up, but there are a lot of organizations where when your contract ends, your job is over. So there is that risk.”

Private Industry:

PRO – Higher Salary
“With industry, you’ll get paid a lot more. If you go to VISA or Apple or Google they are higher pay.”
CON – Outside Influences
“Your fate at the company is contingent upon how well the company does. So if they have a really bad quarter and they have to do layoffs you are at risk for that.”

Overall it’s up to you to choose what is right for your career. Alspaw notes, “I like to encourage students to try government first, especially if they can get a security clearance. I have found students to be more successful getting cleared in internships and co-ops than they have in full-time positions, because the government is investing in this new generation of people coming up. So if you can get that clearance early, it will make things a lot easier for you in the future.”

For cybersecurity bachelor’s or master’s students, if you need coaching on the next steps to take to meet your career goals, the Career Services department can help. To make an appointment for individual advice, please email careers@captechu.edu.
www.CapTechU.edu

Can We Trust Synthetic Intelligence? - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/3596

Dr. Jason M. Pittman, Sc.D.

Previously, we have discussed synthetic intelligence, agency in synthetic intelligence, and how we might measure both. Now, I would like us to consider a specific aspect of intelligence and agency: trust. Trust is an important notion to discuss because of our indirect experience of trust as a mediator of knowledge. Imagine that we have created a synthetic intelligence that is (through our tests!) demonstrably (a) intelligent and (b) has agency. Can we trust this synthetic intelligence? I suggest that the answer is yes. Let's explore why!

What is trust?
Foremost, we need to outline what we mean by trust. I’m not certain that we can directly identify trust; trust seems to be an attribute of information. Okay, then we can state that knowing something (information) relies on trust. Thus, trust encapsulates sub-attributes such as belief, reliance, or confidence. The implication of course is that trust is an attribute of information being shared between two things. In the context of our discussion such things are, at a minimum, a human and a synthetic intelligence. These things, we can say, are the object of trust. Further, trust is an object of the information or knowledge passing between these things.

Now, trust requires three components as far as I can tell. First, there must be a prover. That is, one of the things must be capable of demonstrating that knowledge is reliable or otherwise believable. Second, this prover is nothing without a verifier. The verifier substantiates that the prover possesses some knowledge through belief, reliance, and confidence. Third, there must a mediator that brokers or shares information between the prover and verifier.

This is all well and good for abstract discussion, I suppose. However, I'm interested in the practical, applied trust between us and synthetic intelligence. So: let's look at an example to illustrate how this trust triangle functions.

Consider this essay as a knowledge object. As the author, I am the prover. You (the reader) are the verifier. I think those roles are self-evident. What then is the mediator? Well, broadly speaking, the technology you are using to read the information is mediating how you verify what I am proving. You don't trust the technology directly mind you. Instead, you trust the information. The technology serves a critical function in mediating how you come to trust the information. However, there is an implicitness to the technology; it is background to the information, to me and you, which exists as foreground.

By now, we ought to agree on what trust is and how trust functions. Even with the simplified view I've provided, we should have enough understanding to examine our trust relationship with synthetic intelligence and information more closely.

Why do I think we can trust synthetic intelligence?
Trust, particularly trust mediated by technology, is essential to what it means to be human. Thus, I think the form of trust we’ve discussed will naturally extend to synthetic intelligence. The roles of prover and verifier will likely be innate. Further we will undoubtably use technology to mediate the space between synthetic intelligence and us. As long as the synthetic intelligence exhibits agency, we can believe (trust) the information coming from the synthetic intelligence with reliable confidence. Thus, the assurance of trust will rest in the construction and monitoring of the mediator.
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Rogue Space Cameras? - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/3591

First, one U.S. company decides to skip FCC licensing and puts up 4 'rogue satellites'

Now a crowd favorite and industry heavyweight, SpaceX, is on the hook with NOAA (National Oceanic and Astropheric Administration) for illegal photos of Earth. Fortunately, this case is about an unintended gap in the law rather than a bad actor -- and with exemplary behavior by SpaceX as well as work to get the policy improved.

The short scoop is that any U.S. space-based camera that takes pictures of the Earth has to get permission from NOAA before launch, to ensure their data is not going to put national security or privacy issues at risk.  As an official briefing explains, "the National and Commercial Space Program Act requires a commercial remote sensing license for companies having the capacity to take an image of Earth while on orbit."

Capitol Technology University’s Cactus-1 CubeSat applied for and received its NOAA license/permission, on the grounds that (a) our camera is very low resolution and (b) it points inward, to image captured debris, and not outward to see the Earth.  Of all our paperwork, this was one of the easiest, but that is primarily because we aren't sending high quality video watched by millions.
SpaceX, like many companies, puts video cameras pointing down on their rockets, to provide exciting and useful images of the launch.  Much like the GoPro cameras Capitol AE students put on our twice-yearly high altitude balloon flights, launch vids are not a NOAA issue.

The catch is that if the camera is on a rocket stage that actually reaches on-orbit status, it could technically be seen as an orbiting camera and thus bound by a 26-year old standing NOAA law.
SpaceX's March 30 Falcon 9 launch was broadcasting video when, 9 minutes in, SpaceX cut the video feed.  The good news is this was intentional -- SpaceX recognized that a policy was in place and took steps to comply.

"Due to some restrictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA for short, SpaceX will be intentionally ending live video coverage of the second stage just prior to engine shutdown," SpaceX materials engineer Michael Hammersley said during a live webcast commentary about the Iridium-5 mission. "We're working with NOAA to address these restrictions in order to hopefully be able to bring you live views from orbit in the future."

Space lawyer is a job, space policy is a degree you can get, and in this case, it seems NOAA has decided SpaceX's “Falcon 9 second stage can qualify as a 'remote sensing space system,' which would require a provisional license from the U.S. agency if SpaceX wanted to show the live video and still launch on time."

SpacePolicyOnline notes that under existing law, “SpaceX should have been getting licenses all along for transmissions that show Earth’s features.  That includes the Falcon Heavy Tesla launch.  It was the latter that prompted discussions between NOAA and Space X about the need for licenses." The 1992 law is currently under review by Congress, and an update (H.R. 2809) was approved by the House last year.

Another nuance: cargo launches to the International Space Station do not, it seems, require a license because they constitute “a government (NASA) payload".  Same gear, but different mission, means different laws.  Where's a space lawyer when you need one?

Still, I'm glad there's an agency actually checking whether private company satellites are able to do spy-level imaging-- and that the current new space pioneers have their act together, even in the changing space law landscape.  Now, if they can only reduce the paperwork required for Cactus-2...
www.CapTechU.edu

Your final exam: recover an out-of-control spacecraft! - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/not%20your%20typical%20final%20exam

For most students, taking a final exam means poring over a test – solving problems, answering questions, and doing your best to summon forth the knowledge you obtained during the semester.

What if you took a final that included commanding and controlling a spacecraft?
For Capitol students enrolled in Ground Systems Engineering, part of the school’s astronautical engineering curriculum, the exam included exactly this kind of challenge. The course incorporates a dynamic flight simulator provided by The Hammers Company and housed in the university’s Space Flight Operations Center (SFOTC).

To wrap up the course, students were grouped into four-person teams and put in command of two virtual spacecraft over a three-day period. They were provided station contact times and had to ensure that a member was on console to uplink command sequences to turn on spacecraft telemetry, downlink engineering data and verify the health and safety of the spacecraft.

Use of virtual spacecraft allows students to gain real-time training, but without risking damage to actual, billion-dollar equipment, says Marcel Mabson, who co-teaches the course with another Capitol professor, Rishabh Maharaja.

“From the operator’s standpoint, when you’re on the system, it looks exactly like the spacecraft,” explains Mabson.

To up the challenge – and provide practice in dealing with the kind of anomalies that occur in actual missions – the two professors introduced a number of problems and errors, including loss of telemetry due to a misconfigured command sequence, as well as loss of command over the spacecraft. During each event students had to use lessons learned during class lecture and labs to recover the spacecraft and restore spacecraft telemetry and command capabilities.

“Both student teams successfully met all objectives and are now preparing for part two of the final,” Mabson said. “This was the 1st time the SFOTC was used in this manner. The students enjoyed the experience and developed skills that will carry them to careers in mission operations.”
Pictured: Philip Lentz and Michael Rarick
www.CapTechU.edu

Recruiting Students: Success Tips for Employers - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/tips%20for%20recruiters

By Sarah Alspaw, Director of Career Development and Student Success
Capitol Technology University

As commencement approaches, many graduating students are already well into the job search, hoping to land a position at a top company in their field. Some, even before they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, will have already been hired.

It’s not a one-way process. Even as students are looking for jobs, companies are also looking for their next hires. Business, engineering, and technological skills are in high demand. Capitol graduates have those sought-after skills.

What should companies do to connect with our graduates?  As Capitol’s director or career development and students success, I’ve been in a position to observe some of the ways in which productive student-employer relationships are forged. Here are a few strategies that can help you, the company in need of qualified personnel, link up with students who would make a good fit.

Build your brand-awareness on campus for a higher applicant pool!
As a college student, I loved the TV show Bones. My interest in the show influenced my decision to major in forensic anthropology. The show had, in effect, served as effective branding for the field.
We all make decisions based on perceptions and branding.  At Capitol, many of our students begin their first year of school with a clear idea of what company they want to work for when they graduate. Many want to work for NASA or SpaceX, based on notoriety and news coverage. Others want to work for the DoD, FBI, NSA, CIA, or other related agencies based on their observations from shows and movies such as Quantico, Mission Impossible, or Criminal Minds.

These are all exciting, rewarding places to work. It’s part of my job, though, to encourage students to know all of their options and make fully informed, educated decisions about their future careers. Simply deciding on a career because you’ve seen a TV show isn’t enough.

For employers there’s also an important lesson here: building a strong brand helps attract talent.
At Capitol, we do our part to help get the word out. I spend a good amount of time with students exploring their interests and raising their awareness about the range of companies and organizations that may be interested in their skills.

We also often invite employers to speak directly to the students. In the past few Career Conferences, we have had representatives from CIA, KeyW, OneWeb, CSRA (which is now General Dynamics Information Technology), Tensley Consulting, IRS, ICF International, and many other companies speak directly to the students to give them a good idea of what the reality of their industries look like. Companies will also provide students with assistance in key areas that will help their job search and career development, presenting on topics such as networking, federal resume composition, and other related topics.

Any employer attending the Career Fair during the Career Conference is invited to speak to the students. We have found that employers who speak during the conference have a heightened brand awareness on campus and see a higher number of applicants.

Engage with the campus community to find hidden talent!
The Career Conference is not the only time that you can meet our students. We are happy to host, free of charge, any recruiting event you would like to host on our campus. If you want to host an on-campus workshop, a luncheon, an online event or workshop, or another related activity, we can help you plan and execute that event.

There are other ways to partner with the university. If you have case-studies that are non-classified that you would be willing to share with our faculty, we can integrate those into our courses. We can co-host events such as hack-a-thons, app development competitions, capture the flag events, or other events where you can see our talent display their abilities first-hand. We can hook you up with a club on campus to co-host an event, or we can connect you to the department chair for a specific major if you want to host a specific session, connect with a specific research lab on campus, or just speak about what skillset you need and how we can help our talented students learn more about those subjects.

If you are hoping on large scale recruiting, we have also hosted full-day recruiting events on campus for employers seeking further engagement with the students.

Start early to catch many of the talented candidates before your competitors!
Not all, but many of our top-talented students are fully employed before reaching senior year. We encourage employers to consider internship or co-op opportunities freshman and sophomore year or to recruit students for full time positions around junior year. We do not hold almost any classes on Friday so that students can pursue internships or co-ops on Fridays. In many of our degree programs, junior and senior level classes are offered online and at night to allow our students to work full-time during the day.

We often encourage our students to pursue degree conferral in associate degrees while they pursue their bachelor’s degrees so they can begin working full-time. We start teaching practical skills to our students during their first semester, so all of our students have the skillset to work in their field by the time they reach their junior year.

Are you currently seeking candidates?
If you are currently seeking candidates from our class of 2018, we still have a few students who are actively seeking opportunities. We host a bi-weekly online job search club where I actively work with these students to find opportunities. If you would like to visit that club meeting, or if you would like to register for our online job board and gain access to our online resume book, please contact me.

What should you do to engage our students and alumni?
Contact me for ways to build your brand awareness on campus, to connect to the campus community, and to connect to the talent at Capitol. At any time of year, I am happy to assist you in identifying talented candidates to fill your open positions. Please email me at careers@captechu.edu and I am happy to help you connect!
www.CapTechU.edu