Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, president of Shepherd University, has created this lecture series as part of the Lifelong Learning Program. The lectures are free to the public with advanced registration as seating is limited.
FALL 2019 LECTURES
All lectures will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Auditorium.
How Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, and the Internet of Things Affect Our Lives
Jay Liebowitz, Ph.D.
Monday, September 16
As we continue to move into the cognitive computing age, we can take advantage of various technologies, applications, and methodologies to improve our lives. Many of these emerging developments focus on applied artificial intelligence, big data, analytics, Internet of Things, and intuition-based decision making. This presentation will highlight exciting applications, and discuss some of the key trends in each of these areas, as well as both the benefits and limitations of these approaches.
Social, Economic, and Security Implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution
Linton Wells II, Ph.D.
Tuesday, October 15
We will discuss how disruptive technologies affect social, economic and security factors and their impact on society in our fourth industrial revolution.
The War We Are In: Strategic Insights From America’s New Cyber War College
Thomas Wingfield
Monday, November 11
The newest and fastest growing national security threats the United States faces are those in cyberspace. Cyber threats to U.S. national and economic security increase each year in frequency, scope and severity of impact. Cyber criminals, hackers and foreign adversaries are becoming more sophisticated and capable every day in their ability to use the Internet for malevolent purposes. As a nation, we are dependent on the Internet – we communicate on line, bank and shop online, and store much of our personal information there. But while cyberspace offers great opportunities, it also comes with vulnerabilities. Our information networks and technology are constantly at risk from a variety of bad actors using a multitude of techniques – remote hacking intrusions, the placement of malware, spearphishing and other means of gaining access to networks and information. Some of these bad actors are criminals motivated by profit, particularly in the areas of identity theft and other forms of financial cybercrime. And the cost of cybercrime – already in the billions of dollars – rises each year. Terrorists and extremist groups today use the power of the Internet, especially social media, to spread their messages of hate and intolerance, and to recruit new members, often targeting vulnerable young people. The global reach of cyberspace and the complexity of its networks provide bad actors ample places to hide, safe from the reach of international law. We must ensure that we protect our own national security information from those who would do us harm. I will discuss how our nation is at risk.