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

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/how-can-we-communicate-synthetic-intelligence
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By Jason M. Pittman, Sc.D.

So far in this series, I have talked at length about what synthetic intelligence is as well as various aspects of synthetic intelligence such as consciousness, agency, and whether we can even detect it. If we assume that synthetic intelligence will demonstrate consciousness in a way that we can detect, the next rational step would be to communicate with it. Is communication something we'll be able to have with synthetic intelligence? I think so, yes.

Forms of Communication
Foremost, we know that forms of communication besides words and body language exist. While those two modalities are common through the animal kingdom, we have to look outside of the normative worldview to understand how to communicate with synthetic intelligence. For example, communication can take place solely through electrical signals. The mammalian nervous system works in this way. Further, plants have demonstrated the ability to communicate with each other using electrical signals. Lower forms of life such as bacteria can use chemical signals (quorum signaling) as can higher order life such as plants. Chemicals also are used as the basis for pheromones. Moreover, chemicals represent a primary communication mechanism between cells within higher order organisms.

The point is, life communicates. Life communicates both within itself as well as between itself and others. So: why can't we just create a speech-to-chemical converter so to say? Well, because modality is not the only factor. That is, if communicating with synthetic intelligence were just a matter of tuning to the correct channel with a radio then we'd already be able to do so.

Time of Communication
To communicate with a synthetic intelligence, we need to be able to act outside of our own time scale. Sure, we are seemingly bound to a linear sense of time (distinct past, present, and future) with the capacity to understand non-linear time (past, present, and future occurring simultaneously). Thus, getting the form of time correct is paramount. Still, the pace of time is also important. In other words, synthetic intelligence may be experiencing much faster or slower than us. Thus, our radio needs to scan through modalities but also time phrasings.

Nature of Communication
Furthermore, we ought to consider the underlying nature of communication. Communication for us is a means of expressing an internal abstraction. The classic model is linking of logic, grammar, and rhetoric or what is known as the trivium. As a model, the trivium provides a means to understand how human consciousness seems to function with respect to communication. Yet we have no guarantee that a synthetic consciousness will manifest its form of communication in the same manner. Accordingly, our radio needs to parse both trivium-based communication as well as communication without as basis in logic or grammar.

Thus, Communicating
We have to start somewhere, and I think starting with time and grammar gives us the best chance for communicating with a synthetic intelligence. Moreover, I would suggest that we begin with listening rather than speaking. Life- natural, artificial, and synthetic- is communicating. We simply need to tune in.

Cybersecurity programs at Capitol ranked best, most affordable - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/cybersecurity-programs-capitol-ranked-best-most-affordable
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Looking for an online cybersecurity program that delivers the best mix of quality and affordability? A new report sets out to identify the top-value programs in a crowded field.

The results? Capitol Technology University stands out from the pack.

The report, produced by cybersecuritydegrees.com, not only ranks Capitol’s online master’s program in cybersecurity as the best in the nation, but also deems it the most affordable.

The online doctoral program at Capitol, meanwhile, also ranks high -- #2 nationwide, behind Dakota State.

In addition, Capitol is designated one of the five best cybersecurity education providers in Maryland.
“These awards confirm that a Capitol education prepares our graduates to defend the nation’s critical infrastructure, while also remaining affordable,” said Dr. William Butler, chair of cybersecurity at the Maryland-based university.

“Capitol differentiates itself by offering very practical, hands-on programs that prepare our graduates for technical and leadership positions within the US Government and the private sector,” Butler said. “Capitol has been designated several times by DHS/NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE)."

Dr. Nayef Abu-Ageel, dean of academics, said the rankings show that Capitol, which was one of the first colleges in the world to offer degree programs in cybersecurity, continues to set the bar high.
"Here at Capitol, we have one of the most innovative cybersecurity programs in the nation. I'm proud of the progress that we have made in this field under the leadership of Dr. Butler and his team," he said.

The rankings are based on data from the US Department of Education as well as the schools surveyed. Cybersecuritydegrees.com says its report is designed specifically with working, non-traditional, and adult learners in mind, with the aim of identifying programs that are most likely to meet their needs.

Affordability rankings were based on in-state and out-of-state tuition as well as the percentage of students receiving financial aid. The best programs were selected based on academic quality, affordability, return on investment, and student satisfaction.

“Our ranking methodology distinguishes itself from more generalized rankings by focusing on a specific set of metrics that measure the success of online cybersecurity degrees more accurately,” said Josh R Jackson, contributing writer for the site.

“Our metrics have been honed from years of experience in higher education journalism and research, and they seek to provide a balance between the traditional academic prestige of an institution with a cyber security program, and other concerns that particularly non-traditional or working students may express. Namely, that affordability and support in online learning environments is crucial for successful outcomes among non-traditional, working, and adult students,” he said.

Capitol, based in Laurel, MD, offers cybersecurity programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The master’s program is 100% online, while the doctoral program features online courses plus an annual residency. Interested in learning more? Contact gradmit@captechu.edu for more information.

New Capitol degree program trains construction managers – and adds critical infrastructure expertise - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/new-capitol-degree-program-trains-construction-managers-and-adds-critical-infrastructure
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Want to become a construction manager? Do you want to understand and protect the nation’s critical infrastructure? Consider learning the project management needed skills to be a manager in the construction industry while learning what and how infrastructure projects operate and the cybersecurity behind protecting these facilities.

Construction is a top industry both in the United States and worldwide, with new projects continually in the works. Those in charge of building new facilities must also think about how to secure them – not only against physical intruders, but against attacks launched through computer networks. And that requires an understanding of how hackers operate, and how to defend against them.

You won’t find critical infrastructure and cybersecurity skills taught in most construction management programs, however. And that’s why Capitol Technology University has launched a brand new bachelor’s degree program in construction management and critical infrastructure, providing a unique blend for the next generation of students going into the construction industry.

“I believe this is the time to bring these fields closer together,” says Dr. Bradford L. Sims, Capitol’s president. Dr. Sims holds bachelors and master’s degrees in construction management and has worked coast-to-coast in industrial construction, often drawing from his own computer background to solve digital-era problems.

Capitol’s program covers three specific areas, Sims says. “The first and largest is the standard construction project management core, preparing students for the field or home office positions. The second is the critical infrastructure area, covering what the many infrastructure projects sectors are and how they function from a component and systems viewpoint.”

“The third is an understanding of cybersecurity, taking advantage of Capitol’s role as a leading provider of cyber education,” Sims said. “We were one of the first schools to be designated a National Center of Academic Excellence-Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) in 2003, and have been successfully re-designated two times.”

With a combination of construction management and cybersecurity industry, students graduating from the program will be well-positioned for career growth, data suggests.

There is intense demand for cybersecurity professionals, including in the construction industry. As Greg Davis notes in an article for Construction Executive, “the construction sector is a prime example of an industry that possesses large amounts of private information that would be desirable to a hacker.”

“Construction companies have proprietary information that requires protecting, including bid data, designs, materials pricing, profit/loss data, employee information, banking records and other highly confidential information,” Davis noted.

Department of Homeland Security has identified 16 critical infrastructure sectors “whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.”

The 16 sectors include commercial facilities, communications, dams, critical manufacturing, dams, government facilities, nuclear reactors, transportation systems, and wastewater systems, among others.

Marianne Meins is vice president for critical infrastructure protection strategy at Parsons, a Capitol Tech corporate partner and digitally enabled solutions provider focused on the defense, security, and infrastructure markets. “Estimates suggest 3.5 million cybersecurity positions will be open by 2021. Building a relationship with Capitol Tech will serve to benefit both Parsons and Capitol students, meeting not only current industry needs but also those of the future,” says Meins.

At the same time, construction continues to boom. According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), “construction is a major contributor to the U.S. economy. The industry has more than 650,000 employers with over 6 million employees and creates nearly $1 trillion worth of structures each year. Construction is one of the largest customers for manufacturing, mining and a variety of services.”

A recent report from the Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation (MCCEI) shows that that by 2020, in Maryland alone, there will be a need for 9,715 construction managers with bachelor’s degrees – but current projections show the state producing only 1,020 by that time.
Bob Aydukovic, the president of MCCEI, says Capitol’s new degree program is a significant step towards closing the gap.

 “MCCEI is very supportive of this new bachelor’s degree program being launched in our state.  The industry is going through rapid technological advances with robotics, drones, 3d printing and the internet of things, and Capitol’s unique technology focus gives Maryland’s companies a strong option to hire in-state,” Aydukovic said.

“The construction industry in Maryland is red-hot and our companies have a tremendous demand for people with construction management degrees,” he said. “Capitol Tech’s new program could not have come at a better time.  The focus on construction fundamentals and technology will, without a doubt, be highly desirable to Maryland employers.”

Interested students are encouraged to apply now for the program, which will begin in August 2019 at Capitol Tech’s campus in Laurel, MD. For more information, email admissions@captechu.edu.

Companies or associations looking to more closely partner in the construction management and critical infrastructure area can email Dr. Sims directly at president@captechu.edu.

Why Early STEM Education Matters - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/why-early-stem-education-matters
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Science. Technology. Engineering. Math. Together, these fields are often referred to by the acronym STEM.

Some find STEM subjects exciting and inspiring. Others find them daunting. Few, though, can afford to overlook them. It is no exaggeration to say that every job, in today's world, is a technology job. Preparing young people for success in such a world depends, many agree, on educating them in STEM fields -- and overcoming the fear factor.

“I think the biggest problem with STEM in high school is somehow it is seen as 'hard',” says Dr. Alexander ‘Sandy’ Antunes, an astronautical engineering professor at Capitol Tech. “It’s a myth I wish we could retire.  Elementary school kids find science and engineering fascinating and engaging, but as they get older, somehow STEM gets put into an ivory tower for 'only the most brilliant'. I feel persistence is worth more than smarts, but a lot of kids get told (often by family members) they aren't 'smart' enough to be a scientist or engineer (and movies reinforce this, as all scientists wear glasses, etc).”

Early exposure is key, say many experts. According to the Department of Education, “research shows that early exposure to STEM has positive impacts across the entire spectrum of learning. For example, early math knowledge not only predicts later math success, it also predicts later reading achievement (National Research Council, 2012)."

That's good news. But it comes with a warning: too many children are not, in fact, being taught STEM at an early age.

"Despite these powerful findings, our schools and early childhood programs often lack knowledge, resources, and capacity to focus on early STEM learning in developmentally appropriate ways.”

The deficit continues through later stages of education, too. According to the Center for Childhood Creativity, “Data shows that young people are not graduating with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly-evolving, technologically-driven workforce.”

Capitol Technology University holds summer camps every year that help provide fun, STEM-based education for high school students, giving them an opportunity to see just how intriguing these fields can be -- and helping them to build confidence. In 2018, camps have focused on cyber, coding (both basic and advanced). and gaming.

Dr. Antunes, who runs the coding and gaming camps says, “Capitol's summer camps for STEM have two easy benefits.  For kids interested in STEM, it's a hands-on interaction with 'the real work' in contrast to the rigid lecture-style of K12 education.  It's kind of like being in elementary school again when dinosaurs and space and building stuff was cool and easy and computers were neat hacking things that could do anything.  Because it turns out dinosaurs and space and building stuff is cool and easy and computers are neat hacking things that can do anything.”

“As a kicker,” he continues, “for our college students, being camp Teaching Assistants is a great way for them to get experience and decide if they want to be the next generation of STEM teachers.  Plus they’re not so far out of high school so they can relate to what our camp students want on a personal level, increasing the connection we provide in camp.”

Want to learn more? Check out our summer camps page, or read more about the types of fun activities we incorporate into our summer camps from Dr. Antunes, here.

Privacy as Seclusion - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/privacy-seclusion
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By Jason M. Pittman, Sc.D.

I think privacy needs to end. To end it, we first must know what privacy is. Recall that we started with non-intrusion as a possible interpretation. Now, we examine seclusion of information as the second of five constructs that may explain what privacy is.

Seclusion is an interesting construct. First, seclusion is the only construct to be a direct synonym for privacy. In contrast, the other four constructs are characteristics of information. Moreover, seclusion is the only construct that implies something done to or with information. That is, we seclude information. We can place information into seclusion which implies a state of being.

Seclusion can also be a state of mind. Here, we can imagine the form of seclusion experienced when one is physically in a group but not part of that group. I suspect that simply ignoring the group is not always a mechanism of seclusion. More so, ignoring does not meaningfully explain how. Further, particularly in modern life, the distractions are too severe to achieve seclusion in this manner.

Seclusion is something that requires premeditation, focus, energy, and effort. The individual must be active in maintaining seclusion; he or she must continually choose to remain secluded. More specifically, the individual engaging in mental seclusion resists the attempts of the group to engage to the point of seemingly not being present. At the same time, such an individual does not engage with the group or another individual in the group in any manner. In effect, the individual is mentally distant in much the same way that one is physically distant in our camping explanation earlier.

Certainly this mind-state form of seclusion is more applicable to information privacy. That is, information, as a mental construct, is made private through seclusion in the same way that the individual makes himself secluded mentally. Thus, not only is privacy (as seclusion) a decision but an ongoing decision to resist externalized intrusion. Privacy in this case is not affected by moving information into seclusion as much as it is affected by not allowing information to be moved.

There are three points here that I wish to raise. First, we seem unable to make information private from the self. There is nothing we can do to seclude information away from our own mind. Second, we equally seem incapable of secluding information possessed by another individual or group. A third point, which I find particularly interesting, is that a secluded state of mind can be enforced by the group on the individual, as opposed to self-selected. Social groups behave in this manner by shunning the outcast for example. Likewise, a group locked in status quo will naturally resist the outsider seeking to unbalance the homeostatic social contract.

Overall, seclusion feels more complete as an explanation of privacy than just non-intrusion. Still, the two constructs combined are more consistent than either singularly. Moreover, there seems to be a direction to the relationship between non-intrusion and seclusion. Perhaps the remaining three constructs will illuminate such a relationship further.

Capitol, NSA sign agreement on degree opportunities - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/capitol-nsa-sign-agreement-degree-opportunities
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Capitol Technology University formally launched an agreement with the National Security Agency (NSA) on Wednesday (July 18) that enables NSA employees to apply agency-provided training towards completion of a degree.

Many NSA employees receive training in cybersecurity and other specialized areas through the agency's National Cryptologic School (NCS). With Wednesday’s agreement, they will now be able to transfer NCS credits to Capitol and earn an undergraduate or graduate degree.

The formal signing took place during a ceremony at the National Cryptologic Museum, located at the NSA headquarters in Fort Meade.

“We are very excited – and feel immensely honored – to be able to support the NSA in this endeavor,” said Dr. Bradford L. Sims, president of Capitol Technology University. “It is an endeavor that closely aligns with our own mandate as a university, and with our history as an institution, going back all the way to our origins as a radio engineering school founded by a Navy veteran, Eugene Rietzke. We have been providing education and training opportunities to NSA personnel through various programs since the 1980s, and continuing into the present decade.”

Capitol, Sims noted, has earned repeat designations by the DHS and NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence (Cyber-Defense). The Laurel-based university is also one of only two institutions – the other being the Navy Post-Graduate School – authorized to offer coursework to NSA personnel as part of the Security Engineering and Enrichment Development (SEEDS) program, which leads to Information System Security Engineer certification.

Dr. Sharon Fratta-Hill, assistant provost at NCS, and Dr. Leonard T. Reinsfelder, NCS training director and NSA/CSS commandant, also spoke at the ceremony.

“Capitol provides an exceptional education for students who want to focus on cyber, computer science, or engineering,” Fratta-Hill said. “They have had a focus for decades on educating the military as well as federal employees and they truly understand the needs of our employees.”
“These classes are going to be great for our entire enterprise.  All the classes will be online, so not only will those of us in the Fort Meade area be able to take them, but we’ll be able to use these courses enterprise-wide.

Leonard spoke of the value the agreement would bring to NSA personnel who have been educated in critical fields via the NCS, and can now apply their hard work towards completion of a degree.
“Our employees – your students, our graduates – will make you proud,” he said.

Are you an NCS graduate interested in completing your degree at Capitol? For more information about AAS and BS degrees please email admission@captechu.edu  or phone 301-369-3629. For information regarding MS and PhD degrees, e-mail gradadmit@captechu.edu  or phone: 301-369-3629.

To Make the Most of Big Data…Visualize it! - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/data-visualization-tools-and-resources
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Where there is data, there is a need for visual aids that can help us readily make sense of it. Consider the following examples:

• Transportation officials use dashboards, live mapping, or data-based simulations to identify hazards to pedestrians and cyclists, accident-heavy intersections, or areas prone to rush hour congestion.
• With the help of Google Analytics and social media metrics, business owners gain at-a-glance information about how many potential customers visit the company website – and how many of those visits result in a purchase.
• In 2016, the Office of Management and Budget unveils an interactive tool that allows citizens to make clearer sense of the federal budget. Visitors can use the tool to “explore where your tax dollars would go and what portion of the federal budget is dedicated to different program areas.”
• For sports enthusiasts, a tool created by Column Five Media assesses the longevity and success of top franchises across multiple sports. Viewers can instantly gauge franchise value (indicated by circle size), the number of championships won, and the number of years the team has competed.
• An animated .gif created by the Pew Research Center shows the aging of the US population – with the traditional “pyramid” (more younger people, fewer older ones) becoming a rectangle (growing numbers of elderly).

In all these cases, a graphic or animation provides a way to quickly and effectively convey the significance of gathered data. While data visualization tools have always been important to business analysts, they are arguably becoming even more so in the era of high-volume, high-velocity information, sometimes referred to as Big Data.

Business analytics at Capitol is expressly focused on preparing students to thrive in data-driven environments. Through the university’s programs, students have access to visual analytics software developed by industry leader SAS.

With the help of these data visualization tools and resources, students can become experts not only at accurately interpreting large volumes of data, but also at presenting it – in ways that will convey key information to executives and decision-makers.

“Visualization tools give us the power to quickly pull out the relevant data points and identify the trends we are most interested in,” notes Dr. Helen G. Barker, chief academic officer at Capitol Technology University and one of the architects of the school’s business analytics programs. “It might even help us identify and grasp more difficult concepts or identify new patterns we may not have otherwise been able to identify as relevant.”

“With visualization we create more opportunities to turn data insights into action.”
Interested in learning to use data visualization tools to create compelling, data-based narratives? As a business analytics student at Capitol Technology University, you’ll gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art software and resources for visualizing Big Data. For more information, contact admissions@CapTechU.edu.

Interview: Haden Land - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/interview-haden-land
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Haden Land, a cyber security and IT senior executive consultant who provides support to government agencies, allied nations, and regulated commercial industries, became chairman of the Capitol Technology University Board of Trustees on July 1. He takes the helm during a time of rapid transition at the university, which has moved swiftly to establish new programs, expand enrollment, increase Capitol’s visibility in the higher education marketplace, and build out the university campus.

Mr. Land retired in 2015 after a long career as an executive at Lockheed Martin. As Vice President of Research and Technology for the technology giant’s Information Systems and Global Solutions division, Land was responsible for technical solutions, strategic partnerships, global innovation centers, research and development, and emerging technology planning.

A highly sought-after global speaker and active philanthropist, Mr. Land has been selected eight times as one of the Top Hispanics in Business and Technology by Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology magazine; thrice named a Most Influential Hispanic by the Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council; received the prestigious Global CIO Executive Top 10 Breakaway Leader award; and received the Minerva Award for professional lifetime achievement. He holds an honorary doctoral degree in Science from Potsdam University, and received an honorary doctor degree in Humane Letters from Capitol Technology University.

In the following interview, Mr. Land shares some of his priorities as board chairman and talks about the road ahead for Capitol as the university positions itself to meet the needs of a quickly evolving, tech-driven global economy.

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

My educational background is in computer science and mathematics, including undergraduate and graduate degrees; I also have some education in psychology. Professionally, my career spans thirty-five years of professional experience, half of that as chief engineer, chief scientist, or chief architect, and then in the latter half being an executive – an engineering executive, CIO, CTO and the like. I’ve worked for Lockheed Martin, IBM, and Loral.

I’ve served on numerous boards: technical boards, academic boards, and diversity boards.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your chosen field?

I’ve had the opportunity to help solve some of the most challenging problems faced by our country and allies, whether in government operations or military-related situations. I’ve been very active as a senior leader, working very hands-on at the highest levels on very complex problems, and this has been extremely rewarding.

Other work includes the rollout of new concepts and ideas, and influencing education trends, both through my professional work and through my private work in support of boards and various institutions.

In my spare time, I enjoy family and friends.  I’m a sports memorabilia collector, I play golf, play chess, and love going to professional sporting events.

You’re taking the helm as Board of Trustees chairman at a time of accelerated growth and transformation at Capitol. What are some of your priorities?

I will answer that question in two parts. One is from the perspective of the board itself, and secondly from the perspective of the university.

From the board’s perspective, I’m really focused on our adherence to effective governance and consistent membership guidelines and expectations. We are rolling out, effective this month, membership guidelines that all trustees will sign and follow. I also have a high interest in expanding the board’s size by roughly 25% so that we have fully operational committees, so they can do their work effectively. As part of that process, we’ll be seeking candidates who are consistent with the newer markets that we’re positioning for, and also making a focused effort on looking at diversity – bringing more minorities and women onto the board, and also having some representation by Millennials down the stream.

Lastly, I’d like to see us leverage and highlight the board members’ backgrounds and successes more, to better promote the university through our networks.

From the university perspective, I believe we need to grow our assets through more aggressive and creative fundraising. We need to increase our student enrollment; there are a number of positioning exercises and activities that we’ve taken this year, and we should start to see a growing enrollment trend starting next year. I’d like for us to be more creative in establishing strategies and partnerships with corporations. We definitely want to increase our asynchronous course offerings, so we can better position ourselves for the military market, in particular.

We have a new residence hall that is opening in the fall of 2018. Beyond that, I’d like to see us continue with a methodical, well-planned campus expansion, where appropriate.

I’m really pleased with the new leadership team we now have at Capitol. I ran the presidential search that got us Dr. Brad Sims, and he’s doing a great job. Dr. Sims brings an excellent balance of business and academia to the thought processes and decisions that go into leading a university. His background includes professional and business experience as well as increasing roles in academia. He’s also demonstrated a solid understanding of process improvement, performance management, and risk management, all of which are critical, and he’s a very good listener. Since the start of his tenure at Capitol, he’s shown that he can build and lead a high-performance team.

What do you see as Capitol’s distinctive strengths? What is our differentiator in the crowded, competitive higher education arena?

We have one of the better professor-student ratios within the programs and offerings that are in our portfolio. Most of our peer institutions have fewer professors and more students. Our location, in the Washington, DC metro area, is a plus. The degrees and programs that are our bread and butter are very relevant to the markets in this region. We have a high-performing, new leadership team. I’m really pleased with their aggressive, performance-based work ethic. That is a distinct advantage compared to some other institutions. In addition, we’ve been able to remain affordable in the markets we serve. We’re somewhere in the middle of that band and we’ve kept a diligent eye on the cost.

Where do you see us going? How should Capitol best position itself in this rapidly changing economy?

We’ve got to stay relevant. Over the next two years, you’re going to see a dozen or more new degrees and programs being rolled out. A number have already received authorization to proceed, while others are in the cycle. We’re also looking at enhancing existing programs and, of course, halting underperforming programs. Optimizing Capitol’s portfolio is key to where we’re headed.

While we need to stay focused and position ourselves well for on-campus education, we also really need to be ahead of the competition in terms of getting the most out of online education. That’s a trend that we see out there, and it’s driven by the way people’s lives are changing. We have a number of course already that are being converted to an online, asynchronous format. There are a number of initiatives under way to better position ourselves in new markets as well as existing markets that we haven’t been able to tap into as well in the past.

You have earned public recognition for your efforts to promote diversity in STEM fields. Do you see things going in the right direction?

I have seen the needle move in terms of executive placement. I do see more minority students attending STEM degree programs; however, I think we still need to do more to encourage women to enter these fields.

You’re also known as an advocate for the concept of STEAM. What does this mean and why is it important?

The “A” in STEAM refers to arts and humanities. These fields are characterized by divergent thinking, a process in which students are presented with a concept and then asked to explore or expand on the concept.  Conversely, STEM (without the A) fields have historically been characterized by convergent thinking, where students are given a problem and they apply a set of known concepts to produce the correct answer. I’ve done a lot of work in adaptive sciences, in evolving fields like neuromorphic architecture, biomimicry, quantum computing and machine learning, and data science, and all of these fields require someone who can do both convergent and divergent thinking.

Capitol, NSA’s National Cryptologic School team up to provide cyber education - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/capitol-nsas-national-cryptologic-school-team-provide-cyber-education
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The National Security Agency is opening up new educational opportunities for its employees through a new agreement with Capitol Technology University in Laurel, Maryland, to be officially signed Wednesday (July 18).

Capitol’s president, Dr. Bradford L. Sims, and representatives of the National Cryptologic School (NCS), a school within the NSA that provides education and training in critical national security areas, including foreign language, cryptology, and cyber, will be on hand for the signing ceremony at the National Cryptologic Museum in Annapolis Junction, Maryland.

Under the agreement with Capitol, NSA employees who have completed courses sponsored by the NCS will be able to apply a substantial amount of that coursework towards bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees at Capitol, an independent, non-profit university that has long supported the education and training needs of federal agencies and the military. The school originated in 1927 as a training institute for radio engineers and, in subsequent decades, expanded to cover a broad range of technology and business fields.

NCS deputy commandant and provost Diane Janosek highlighted NSA’s academic relationships as an advantage for the entire country. “The NSA, through the NCS, partners with leading academic institutions to advance the nation’s posture in STEM education and proficiency,” said Janosek, referring to the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines central to NSA mission success. “This agreement with Capitol significantly expands the ability for our civilian and military workforce to leverage NSA courses for college credit through the innovative Accelerated Degree program, and is a major win-win for the Agency and the nation.”

Capitol’s vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer, Dr. Helen G. Barker, said the university is working to build a technology education pipeline in the region, and that the agreement reflects that mission.

“We’re excited about building a relationship with the NCS and its students, both civilian and military,” Barker said. “Capitol has a long legacy of educating students to meet the demand of federal agencies for specialized technology skills, including cybersecurity, and this agreement builds on that tradition.”

“What this agreement does is provide NSA employees with further opportunities to complete a degree – whether because of personal aspirations, or to advance on their career paths,” Barker said. “We’re accomplishing this by offering significant transfer options, not only into our undergraduate programs, but also our master’s and doctorates. In other words, we’re offering degree completion for all levels of individuals.”

According to an official document, the agreement reflects the “complementary nature of the NSA and Capitol programs.”

Programs of particular interest to NCS students, according to Barker, include Capitol’s bachelor degree program in cyber and information technology, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in cyber analytics, master of science in cyber and information security, technical master of business administration in cybersecurity, and doctorates in business analytics and decision sciences, cybersecurity, and technology.

Providing more avenues for building cybersecurity skills is a high priority across many federal agencies, given increased concern about protecting sensitive information, assets, and infrastructure,” Barker noted.

“There are tremendous opportunities right now in cyber, both within and outside the federal government, and also in analytics,” she said. “Data is a critical asset, and more and more organizations recognize that securing it is absolutely essential.”

Capitol was among the first universities in the world to offer degree programs in cyber and information security, and the first to launch a doctorate in the field. The quality of its programs has been recognized with repeat designations by the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence. The university is based in Laurel, Maryland, between the NSA and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Does Synthetic Intelligence have an Embodiment Problem? - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/does-synthetic-intelligence-have-embodiment-problem
www.CapTechU.edu

By Jason M. Pittman, Sc. D.

In my last post, I mentioned that an intelligent, non-carbon-based lifeform might be able to embody its consciousness in the world.
However, in previous work I have argued that plants present as a likely candidate for synthetic intelligence.

Embodiment

Embodiment is a tricky concept to nail down. First, things can embody ideas. That is, things can render intangible concepts tangible. Second, and specific to consciousness, embodiment seems to be how we humans iteratively frame our cognition. In other words, we use our bodies to create, participate in, and filter experiences so that the ideas of those experiences can be made real.

This should make us wonder: can a mind have consciousness without a body (or the equivalent of a body)?

Therein lies the destruction of dualism, made famous by Descartes. That is to say, the mind (and thus consciousness) is not disembodied from the physical substrate (i.e., a brain) but rather tightly coupled with it. Brains can exist without minds but minds cannot exist without brains.

Simple enough, right?

Well, no. As it turns out, embodiment is a bit more complex in resolution. It is not enough to say that minds depend on brains to exist. Rather, we need to understand that the ability to think itself, to form cognition itself, depends on a body beyond just the brain!

This notion exists at the heart of what is known as the Embodiment Problem in AI. Stated simply, AI cannot achieve human levels of intelligence because it lacks a body with which to generate situated experiences. For example, an AI can trivially play games (Chess, Go, DOTA2) but such an AI cannot describe what it is like to play those games. The reason the AI lacks this ability is because it cannot embody what it is like to play a game.

You would think the most straightforward resolution would be to create a body for our game-playing AI, right? Maybe. I say that's wrong, however.

Embodiment Redux

If we presuppose the need for a body and a brain, we don't need to necessarily assume that such bodies and brains need to be like ours. In other words, a synthetic consciousness does not have to look like us. Okay, let's ask a few probing questions then.

First, what is necessary for something to be considered as having a body? Second, what is necessary for something to be considered as having a brain? We want to avoid the trappings of bottom-down deconstruction of biological assemblies. Rather, we want to understand how much a synthetic body or brain can vary from the biological assemblies we readily know before not being a body or brain.

Once again, we can look at plants as a paradigm. Plants, after all, follow a decidedly non-animal model both in their local assembly as individuals and in their collective assemblies (plants tend not to grow as solitary individuals). Yet, plants do have both bodies and brains, so to speak.

Thus, I would suggest that while artificial intelligence indubitably has a serious embodiment problem, synthetic intelligence can avoid such because it is not confined to imitating the human version of embodiment.

Life Should Be Like Summer Camp! - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/life-should-be-summer-camp
www.CapTechU.edu

By Dr. Sandy Antunes
Professor, Astronautical Engineering
Imagine this workday. Your boss greets you at 9 am and you get a short talk on a totally new task you have to do.  You get together with your co-workers to work on it, and you make good progress over the course of the morning.

At lunchtime, you have the option of working on the project more that afternoon, or switching to a new project in a new area. You make your choice, as do your co-workers. At the end of the day, you have either (a) completed a project in depth or (b) started two projects and brought them halfway.

Also, you got served snacks.

So why can't life be more like summer camps?  We're running several summer camps here at Capitol. All are week-long day camps (9am-4pm) at about the $400-450/week rate.  The Cyber camps just wrapped up, and I have a Coding Camp (Python & Pi) from July 30-Aug 3, as well as a Game Design Camp from Aug 6-10.

As an adult, I've gone to a Dude Ranch to ride horses and play ping-pong-- summer camp for adults.  But I've also done more serious efforts and gone to professional workshops and conferences, which are really three-day camps for adults.  I just wrapped up a two-day trip to Morehead State University to test our upcoming CubeSat payload for launch.  First, it passed the environment tests!  Second-- yep, it was like summer camp. I got to learn about new things I didn't know about, while in the hands of experts who knew what they were doing.

So why don't we restructure both school and work to be more like summer camps?  At Capitol we (the professors) love the hands-on we can do in the classroom, and all colleges use a camp-like structure where you only have 1-3 classes per day, each maybe 90 minutes, with a gap in between to recharge yourself. We should use this model for K12 (kindergarten through high school) education, and for work.

Most engineering level jobs (other than operations) involve a fair amount of learning new things and task switching.  Taking a camp approach means that, instead of seeing it as 'more work', you tackle your job like getting Boy Scout merit badges or Girl Scout Try-Its.  Got a chance to learn a new computer system, switch to new software, or deliver results on a new project? *Ding* You've just gotten a new Achievement Unlocked!

Part of a good camp attitude is taking a clue from Choose-Your-Own-Adventure games.  "You have a deadline!  Do you put in extra hours (go to page 5), ask the boss for a one-day extension (go to page 7), or call in that favor from your co-worker to get their help (go to page 9)?"

A big thing that differentiates life from college (or high school) might not just be the workload-- my college students regularly tell me that while college <em>material</em> is harder than high school, the "work" is easier because it's less artificially scheduled, more applied.  And work is the ultimate in applied effort

So yes, I am running two camps for high schoolers this summer (and those of you caring for kids are welcome to send them over for an awesome time!)  But really, can't life just be a series of summer camp experiences, if you choose the right perspective?
Happy summer,
Dr. Sandy Antunes

Unmanned and Autonomous Systems: The Future is Now - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/unmanned-and-autonomous-systems-future-now
www.CapTechU.edu

A farmer examines images taken from an unmanned aircraft and detects nitrogen deficiencies in this year’s corn crop. A regulatory agency uses a drone to assist to help determine whether an industrial facility is in compliance. Emergency personnel responding to a natural disaster quickly locate people in need...without risking further lives by conducting a manned search. A patient being examined for a possible health condition swallows a capsule equipped with a tiny camera. These are just a few examples of the ways in which unmanned and autonomous systems (UAS) can deliver benefits to people while reducing human risk. It’s an area of rapidly growing interest, and one that involves specialized knowledge and skills. Only a few universities, at present, offer an opportunity to learn those skills. Capitol Technology University is among them.

“An unmanned system is any electromechanical system which has the ability to carry out a predetermined or described task, or a portion of that task, and do it automatically with limited or no human intervention,” explains Dr. Richard Baker, a Capitol professor who is spearheading Capitol’s degree programs in the field as well as the establishment of a lab. “In the future we will absolutely be seeing more of these systems.”

Efficiency is one reason: think of retail giant Amazon’s ambition to get packages to customers in less time than it takes to drive to the store. Another motivation is human safety: many tasks that provide societal benefit also happen to be hazardous. An environmental catastrophe, for example, requires inspection and cleanup. Those responsible wear protective gear. A robot might not need to wear gear at all.

If an earthquake strikes, or a tornado levels a town, first responders must be able to locate people in need. They must make swift, accurate decisions about deploying resources -- the wrong call can mean lives lost. Sending out a crew of personnel can be dangerous. An unmanned system equipped with the right capabilities can help the team make sound decisions within a shorter time frame. “Unmanned systems are typically deployed to do things that people either can’t do or shouldn’t do,” Baker says. “Putting an unmanned system in a dangerous position, or someplace that we can substitute it for people doing something that’s a repetitive or dull job is ideal. Using unmanned systems to do things that are dirty because it’s a hazardous environment is another good use of them.”

While the potential is immense, the UAS field also brings with it a host of related challenges -- whether legal, ethical, economic, organizational, or technological. Many aspects of the regulatory framework governing these systems are undetermined or in need of an update. Privacy concerns -- along with legislation that proposes to address them -- are a subject of hot debate. Companies must weigh the value to be gained from UAS technology against the cost of equipment and trained personnel. A farmer may be enthusiastic about “precision agriculture” but not have the knowhow or the revenue needed to carry it out. In order to do what we want it to do, a UAS must be programmed. That means a need for UAS-specific programming skills. And because that which can be programmed can also be hacked, it also means a need for cybersecurity expertise.

Capitol is offering a variety of degree programs, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, that reflect this range of concerns. Students enrolled in the Unmanned and Autonomous Systems bachelor’s degree program, slated to start in Fall 2019, will become well-versed in the different UAS types, the uses of each, the flight approval and authorization process, and the proper safety procedures. With the help of the university’s unmanned systems lab, they will gain experience in designing, constructing, and flying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The core courses will provide the prep needed to pass the Federal Aviation Administration test and become a certified UAV pilot.

At the master’s degree level, students with an interest in the policy side of the field, whether in a commercial or governmental context, can earn an MS in Unmanned and Autonomous Policy and Risk Management. Students in the program will also be able to take an optional course that prepares them for FAA certification. As in any new field, research is needed to flesh out the promise of UAS technology and demonstrate its use in various sectors. For example, many potential applications in agriculture still need to be confirmed with hard data. As reported by agriculture.com1, a solid body of research does not exist yet on the use of UAS to monitor herd breeding habits, insect damage, and the effects of crop rotation. Agriculture is only one of the many areas that need further study.

Capitol’s newly-launched PhD program in UAS Applications allows students to conduct UAS-related research in practically any area they might choose. All Capitol’s programs in the field will be taught by qualified professionals and supported by a partnership with Textron Corporation. The bottom line: a large and growing array of human activity in the future is likely to involve or be impacted by UAS technologies. For those wanting to get a head start on that future, Capitol offers the opportunity.

What will synthetic intelligence be made of? - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/what-will-synthetic-intelligence-be-made-of
www.CapTechU.edu

Photo: NASA's Curiosity Mars rover at the Quela drilling location in the Murray Buttes area on lower Mount Sharp. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS 
By Jason M. Pittman, Sc.D.

Recently, my colleague Dr. Antunes discussed the NASA discovery of organic molecules on Mars. In reading his post, I started to think about the biochemical construction of intelligence.

Specifically, I asked myself, "Self, what might a synthetic intelligence be made of?"

As it stands, our methods and instruments are calibrated towards organic molecules, particularly carbon. At least terrestrially, carbon is the dominant element in what we define as biochemistry. Furthermore, carbon seems to be the only element that exists as the foundation for intelligence and consciousness of all types. We must ask, though: is carbon the only biochemical foundation possible? Moreover, if alternatives to carbon exist, might those possess the ability to assemble into the structures necessary for life, intelligence, and, at the extreme, consciousness?

What is the right non-carbon stuff
For all intents and purposes, the biochemistry that gives rise to consciousness seems to be universal.  It is universal in the sense that biochemistry as a precursor to life follows the same properties anywhere in the universe, as far as we know (we mustn't forget that caveat). Furthermore, life is a precursor to intelligence and consciousness and thus both must be universal too. From these propositions, we can infer that non-carbon stuff materializing a biochemistry ought to share some properties with carbon.

Silicon is such a potential alternative. Far-fetched you say? Work on developing silicon-based hydrocarbons has been under way for years. Such work has demonstrated methods to assemble simple building blocks but not full-blown lifeforms. We shouldn't be dissuaded from pursuing the goal, though. In the worst case, while falling short, we still may gain some insights into what a non-carbon-based life, and by extension intelligence, may be like.

What would a silicon-based synthetic intelligence be like?

The big question, the fun question, is how might an intelligent, non-carbon-based lifeform embody its consciousness in the world? Frankly, the concept feels as to me foreign as the concept of paranormal entities. That's not to say that neither are possible. Rather, I'm openly stating that I haven't the faintest idea what such a consciousness would be like. I'm not discouraged though as we can leverage the universality of biochemistry and consciousness to infer some clues.

Here again, as in some of my previous arguments, I think plants can impart powerful insights to us. While plants are carbon-based, and the biochemistry of plants is not altogether foreign to our animal-mammalian senses, we lack the ability to interact with any possible plant intelligence. However, if we can bootstrap a means of communication that works for plant intelligence, my hunch is that the same mechanisms will work for non-carbon-based intelligence as well.

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that such communication mechanisms will not manifest in the form of rhetoric. Not in the form we're used to anyway. Plants and silicon-based life won't express themselves in words. Yet, I do think synthetic intelligence has an underlying intelligence engine of sorts, something akin to our EEG.

Thus, I'm left wondering what potential role technology may place in mediating a shared reality with non-carbon-based life. In other words, what technology exists that may allow us to establish even a unidirectional mediator such that we can at least listen to a non-carbon-based intelligence?

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Construction Management and Critical Infrastructure - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/degrees-and-programs/bachelors-degrees/construction-management-and-critical-infrastructure-bs
www.CapTechU.edu

Earn a bachelor's degree in construction management and critical infrastructure, take the lead on safety and security

It's a security nightmare every construction firm must guard against: adversaries finding vulnerabilities that they can exploit to cause harm. Increasingly, contractors are factoring security into the equation as they create new buildings and infrastructure.

With a degree in construction management and critical infrastructure, you'll bring a unique skill set. You'll understand the requirements of what it takes to manage a variety of construction projects from the field or home office. At the same time, your enhanced IT skills in cybersecurity will enable you to understand the nation's critical infrastructure and how protecting both physical buildings/industrial plants/transportation and their computer networks that remotely operate these facilities are crucial to our society and the way we live.

Why Capitol?

Our location puts you in the heart of the action.

The Baltimore/Washington D.C. area has one of the largest concentrations of high-tech companies, defense contractors, and government agencies in the United States, making it easier to find interships and high-paying jobs.

Our classes are taught by working professionals.

The construction management field is undergoing rapid change in light of emerging technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT).

Our motto, 'find a way or make one,' delivers job ready skills.

Hands on classes, combined with extracurricular clubs like: League of Legends, the robotics club, and the gaming club, help you hone the skills needed to excel in the workplace.

Support for you

Whatever type of resource you need - a way to improve your math skills, a place to exercise, help with a job search or a disability - we have facilities and personnel ready to help.

The Capitol Commitment

We’ve created a game plan to make sure you find a job upon graduation. Learn more.

Market Demand Construction Management and Critical Infrastructure

• 82% of our graduates have a job or enter graduate school 90 days after commencement
• The average salary for graduates with this degree is $75,000

Curriculum

Bachelor of Science - 121 credits

Construction Management -- 39 Credits
CM-120 Intro to Construction Management	3
CM-125 Construction Graphics and Plan Reading	3
CM-220 Construction Methods and Materials	3
CM-230 Estimating I	3
CM-250 Legal Issues in Construction	3
CM-260 Statics and Strengths of Materials	3
CM-270 Safety Management	3
CM-301 Construction Project Management	3
CM-330 Estimating II	3
CM-350 Construction Planning and Scheduling	3
CM-375 Mechanical and Electrical Systems	3
CM-380 Environmental Systems	3
CM-450 Management of Field Operations	3
Capstone - 6 Credits
CM-457 Internship in Construction Management	3
CM-458 Senior Project	3
Critical Infrastructure - 9 Credits
CRI-301 Critical Infrastructure I	3
CRI-310 Critical Infrastructure II	3
CRI-410 Critical Infrastructure III	3
Business - 9 Credits
BUS-270 Financial Accounting I	3
BUS-283 Managerial Accounting	3
BUS-454 International Business	3
Cybersecurity - 12 Credits
CT-152 Introduction to Unix	3
IAE-201 Introduction to Information Assurance Concepts	3
IAE-250 Comprehensive Computer/Network Security	3
IAE-321 Applied Wireless Network Security	3
Mathematics and Sciences - 19 Credits
MA-112 Intermediate Algebra	3
MA-114 Algebra and Trigonometry	4
MA-128 Statistics	3
CH-120 Chemistry	3
PH-201 General Physics	3
UAS-101 Introduction to Unmanned and Autonomous Systems	3
Humanities, Social Science, Management - 27 Credits
EN-101 English Communications I	3
EN-102 English Communications II	3
BUS-200 Business Communications	3
BUS-279 Intro to Leadership	3
BUS-282 Economics for Management	3
HU-331 Arts and Ideas	3
SS-351 Ethics	3
Humanities Electives (3)**	6
Social Science Elective (3)**	3

Philosophy of Technology Roundtable: Doors of Mediation - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/philosophy-of-technology-roundtable-doors-of-mediation
www.CapTechU.edu

“The examined life is not worth living,” Socrates declared. Today, philosophers are finding that to examine life, we must also examine how technology is changing the way we live.

With an array of new gadgets at our disposal, digital tech has become part of nearly everything we do – from gaming to shopping to videoconferencing at work. In the IP-enabled domains we now increasingly inhabit, Socrates’s famous dictum must be paired with Apple’s equally famous catchphrase: “there’s an app for that.”

When considering how interactive, immersive, and virtual technology is redefining what it means to be human, philosophers of technology use the term technological mediation. But what does this term imply, exactly? And why is it important?

Dr. Frank Scalambrino, a distinguished philosophy professor and author, and Dr. Jason M. Pittman, a cybersecurity professor who is co-leading the Brain-Machine Interface program at Capitol Technology University, share their respective takes on the topic.

Frank Scalambrino: In general, “mediation” is a kind of relation. That means, when we relate to something, someone, some activity or its outcome through some “medium,” then we can say that the relation is “mediated.” On the one hand, this is very simple and easy to understand. If you use a shovel to shovel snow, then the shovel is mediating your relation to the snow. On the other hand, mediation can be trivialized. Though there are two quite popular ways to trivialize “technological mediation,” they both may be described as stemming from a kind of absurd reduction.

The first trivialization suggests that it is impossible to relate to anything without some form of mediation. This is a kind of trivialization because even if it is true, which in some way it of course is, it does not eliminate the issues revolving around the types of mediation – specifically technological ones – being used in the world. It would be like saying that there’s nothing wrong with humans consuming anti-freeze, since humans have to consume something. And, that, of course, is an absurd suggestion.

The second trivialization suggests that to question the use of technology to mediate the experiences of our daily lives is to suggest that we should return some primitive form of existence, for example, returning to “back-breaking field work” without even employing a horse. However, were it true that criticizing technological mediation is tantamount to desiring some primitive form of existence, then we would have never invented a more ergonomic version of the snow shovel, since every critical interrogation of the original snow shovel would merely have been a veiled attempt to get us to “use our hands instead.” We, of course, want to avoid both of these trivializations.

As an alternative, I would suggest there is value in awareness. Just as it is beneficial to be aware of the effects of certain behaviors – smoking, for example – there is value in becoming aware of the social and psychological effects of technological mediation. When a manufacturer markets a product for children, there are criteria they need to meet before the product can be marketed. By contrast, products such as “social media” aren’t required to meet certain criteria, nor do they come with warning labels. In some cases, the effects can be insidious or difficult to see.

One effect of the technological mediation of life is the apparent loss of privacy. On the one hand, we may be complicit in this loss insofar as we have become our own paparazzi. However, on the other hand, it is also clearly the case that incentives exist, financial among others, to appropriate our personal information.

Jason Pittman: Dr. Scalambrino has introduced the notion of “technological mediation.” In relation to computer science, it’s interesting to consider mediation as it relates to the underlying computing paradigms. My thinking has led me to view computing in terms of two paradigms: traditional and modern.

In traditional computing, the goal has been to process alphanumeric data. That is, we consume alphanumeric input in algorithmic functions to produce alphanumeric responses. However, modern technology increasingly requires mixed data sources that incorporate space and time dimensions. This is the basis for experiential computing and the foundation for how we interact with immersive technologies such as virtual assistants, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality.

Now, we often don’t consider what is going on between us and the technology we interact with. We assume that the output is tightly coupled to our input and little concern is reserved for how the relation with technology is mediated. Take brain-machine interface technology for example; the EEG input is mediated by the brain-machine interface to enact a user’s agency in the experiential computer. However, the user’s sense of agency can be manipulated when the brain-machine interface relation is compromised or corrupted. That is, we can be fooled into thinking we are in control of an experiential computer when in fact we have no control. Further, because the relation is implicit, and the mediation hidden, we do not have a means to certify whose thoughts are serving as input to the brain-machine interface.

Thus, the value in discussing technological mediation is that we can develop the means to investigate such relations and mediations. Indeed, investigating these relations and mediations may help us develop more resilient or robust user experiences, user interfaces, and cybersecurity principles for our experiential computers.

Dr. Frank Scalambrino has taught undergraduate and graduate-level coursework in the philosophy of technology, and his publications include an edited volume, Social Epistemology & Technology, published by Rowman & Littlefield International (2015), an anthology, Philosophy of Technology: A Reader, published by Cognella (2014), and an edited special edition of a journal of the Social Epistemology Review & Reply Collective (2017). While living in Paris, France, he opened his first social media account and, ever since, he has been interested specifically in the social and psychological effects of the use of technology to mediate life. His work explicitly engages philosophers such as Jacques Ellul, Jean Baudrillard, Ernst Jünger, Martin Heidegger, and Plato.
In determining his projects as an author, Dr. Scalambrino believes:

“Empty is the word of that philosopher by whom no affliction of men is cured.  For as there is no benefit in medicine if it does not treat the diseases of the body, so with philosophy, if it does not drive out the affliction of the soul.” ~Epicurus, “Fragment #54.” Learn more about Dr. Scalambrino at https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-scalambrino-ph-d-7b25165b.

Dr. Jason Pittman is a scholar, professor, and cybersecurity thought leader. He teaches in the cybersecurity program at Capitol Technology University and has earned numerous awards for his teaching and research. His interests include pedagogy and cognitive science issues related to cybersecurity education, as well as the evolution of computing systems in trans-humanistic scenarios. “I see the stars as our inevitable destination and work to do my part is helping our species get there,” Pittman writes.

Drones fill in for Fourth of July fireworks - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/drones-fill-fourth-of-july-fireworks
www.CapTechU.edu

Photos courtesy of Firefly Drone Shows. Used by permission.

Fireworks are a Fourth of July tradition – and a fun part of many other occasions as well. But in areas hit by drought or dry conditions, they can pose a serious hazard.

The good news: watching a swarm of drones can also be an exciting way to cap Independence Day celebrations.

With many municipalities in Western states having to cancel fireworks displays due to the risk, some have opted to hold drone shows instead. During this year’s Independence Day celebrations in Carefree, Arizona, spectators thrilled to the sight of drones illuminating the night sky, with flight patterns that created patriotic symbols. The drones were operated by Firefly Drone Shows, a Detroit-based company. (Click here to see a video clip of the show).

“With the absence of the traditional fireworks show in Cave Creek, [we] wanted to provide
residents a safe and entertaining alternative to fireworks as part of the July 4th tradition,” a spokesperson for the Civana Carefree resort, which organized the event, told the local ABC affiliate.

Similar shows were planned for Aspen, Colorado and the Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, although both events have been delayed due to high winds. The show at Travis is expected to take place at 9 pm on Thursday.

For consecutive years now, dozens of cities in Western states have had to ditch pyrotechnics due to hot, dry weather. If the climate trend continues, drone shows could become a long-term, high-tech replacement, says Dr. Richard Baker, who is on the faculty of a newly-launched unmanned systems program at Capitol Technology University.

“Communities are becoming increasingly aware of the ability to use swarms of drones to emulate a fireworks display,” Baker said. “Lights, music, and unmanned aerial vehicles can provide an exciting and visually appealing experience that is just as grand as fireworks, though without the mind-numbing booms.”

Fireworks can be costly, he noted. Each year in the United States, more than 14,000 fireworks shows spend over $340 million and use more than 25 million pounds of pyrotechnic chemicals, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. 

Beyond the United States, meanwhile, recent high-profile events have explored drone shows as a high-tech way to add wonder and awe to celebratory occasions.

The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang kicked off with a pre-recorded drone display produced by the Intel Corporation; a few months later, a live show at the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an drew more than 100,000 spectators.

The coming years could see drone shows becoming a new tradition in the very country where fireworks were first invented.

China – where fireworks originated during the 9^th century as a method of scaring off malevolent spirits – has moved to ban them in hundreds of cities, in an effort to combat pollution, Fortune reported.

According to Baker, we can expect to see drone shows take off in a big way over the coming years, bringing economic opportunity and career benefits for a wide range of specialists, including operators, engineers, entrepreneurs, security professionals, and policy experts.

 “Cities worldwide are exploring the possibilities of replacing the explosive displays with safer drone exhibitions for cheaper and cleaner celebrations.  The growing demand for public displays using swarms of drones will provide an entirely new industry with outstanding job opportunities in unmanned autonomous systems,” he said.

Interested in learning more about drones and other unmanned autonomous systems (UAVs) and preparing yourself for a career in this rapidly emerging technological field? Capitol Technology University offers Unmanned Systems degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level. Contact admissions@captechu.edu to find out more!

College Majors That Pay - Best College Majors for a Career

College Majors That Pay - Best College Majors for a Career

In today's world it’s important to choose an employable degree that pays well and provides a great career.   You can complete an Associate Degree, continue on for an online Bachelor’s Degree, then move onto an online Master’s Degree, and finish your education with an online Doctoral Degree all from an accredited university.  To find out move about careers and their descriptions, goto: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/, http://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/.

Associate (AAS) Degree Programs

These are two-year programs that equip students with high-technology skills that employers are seeking.

• Computer and Cyber Operations Engineering (AAS)

• Electronics Engineering Technology (AAS)

• Engineering Fundamentals (AAS)

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Programs

These are four-year programs leading to a college diploma and a promising job in a high-technology field or in business.

• Astronautical Engineering (BS)

• Business Analytics and Data Science (BS)

• Computer Engineering (BS)

• Computer Engineering Technology (BS)

• Computer Science (BS)

• Construction Management and Critical Infrastructure (BS)

• Cyber Analytics (BS)

• Cyber and Information Security (BS)

• Electrical Engineering (BS)

• Electronics Engineering Technology (BS)

• Engineering Technology (BS)

• Management of Cyber and Information Technology (BS)

• Mechatronics Engineering (BS)

• Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering Technology (BS)

• Mobile Computing (BS)

• Software Engineering (BS)

• Technology and Business Management (BS)

• Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (BS)

Master’s Programs

Choose from six master's degree programs to expand your knowledge and advance in your career. Programs are accelerated, with eight-week as well as 16-week courses, offered exclusively online with a unique delivery: real-time, live streaming audio. The courses combine the convenience of online learning with the stimulation of classroom experience.

• Business Administration (MBA)

• Computer Science (MS)

• Cyber Analytics (MS)

• Cyber and Information Security (MS)

• Electrical Engineering (MS)

• Technical Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics and Data Science

• Technical Master of Business Administration in Cybersecurity

• Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Policy and Risk Management (MS)

Doctorate Program

As part of the School of Business and Information Sciences, the doctor of science in Cybersecurity degree (DSc) enables you to understand and evaluate the scope and impact of systems and technology from institutional, industry and global perspectives. The program supports the development of high-level critical thinking, leadership and technical skills, and contributes innovative and practical doctoral research to the IA body of knowledge.

• Business Analytics and Decision Sciences (PhD)

• Cybersecurity (DSc)

• Technology (PhD)

• Technology Combination Program (MS/PhD)

• Unmanned Systems Applications (PhD)

• • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs

    Capitol Technology University offers 12 graduate certificates that are useful for professionals who already hold a master's degree or who want to learn more about a topic without the commitment of completing an entire degree. The programs typically consist of four online courses.
    You can later apply your credits toward a master's degree.
    If you complete both of the certificates in either Internet Engineering (“Client/Server and Wireless Devices” and “Component Technologies and Online Collaboration”), you are just two courses away from completing the MS in Internet Engineering. Completion of three post-graduate certificates in information assurance (“Network Protection,” “Security Management” and “Information Assurance Administration”) is equivalent to earning a master’s degree in Information Assurance.
    Courses from other institutions cannot be transferred toward a graduate certificate. Certificates, all of which are 12 credits, are available in the following areas:

  Certificate in Object-Oriented Programming

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  Certificate in Programming and Data Management

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  Certificate in Web Programming

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  Certificate in Acquisitions Management

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  Certificate in Computer and Network Security

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  Certificate in Project Management

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  Certificate in Software Engineering

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  Certificate in Space Missions and Operations Specialist

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  Certificate in Website Development

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Secure Mobile Technology

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Acquisition Management

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Client/Server and Wireless Devices

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Information Assurance Administration

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Information Technology

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Network Protection

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Project Management

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Secure Cloud Computing

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Secure Software Development

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  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Security Management

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  Post-Baccalaureate Digital Forensics and Incident Handling

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  Post-Baccalaureate in Component Technologies and Online Collaboration

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