Education
Our interdisciplinary seminar provides brief overviews of various frontier technologies.
"Frontier Technology: Understanding and Preparing for Technology in the Next Economy” is a cross-listed seminar that has been offered by the School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and the School of Medicine.
Materials for the seminar have also been expanded to share with students on other campuses. Universities that would like to access these materials may contact the Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education at scpd-information@stanford.edu.
Seminar Focus and Themes
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- What are the differences between artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning?
- What is the role of data in learning? How is data acquired? What kinds of datasets do large-scale learning systems use? What ethical considerations relate to data?
- What are the diverse array of contexts where AI and machine learning are being applied today?
Internet of Things and 5G
- What are the enabling technologies and broad applications of IoT?
- What is 5G and what does it entail? How does it directly affect communication? How does it indirectly affect the many industries that rely on fast, networked communication and computing?
- Why is there a need for edge computing and why is 5G an enabling technology?
- How do cybersecurity risks, geopolitical effects, and impacts on various industries and other emerging technologies contextualize IoT and 5G development?
Cybersecurity
- What are examples of cybersecurity vulnerabilities or potential attacks on frontier technologies?
- What solutions or mitigations are possible or needed to address the various types of cybersecurity issues?
- What can we do to protect ourselves and our cyber-physical infrastructure?
Virtual and Augmented Reality
- What are the differences between VR and AR? What state of the art hardware and software is enabling and improving both of these technologies?
- What types of applications are possible with VR/AR? What technical factors are limiting the goals of hardware and content creators?
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What are the impacts of VR/AR technologies on society?
Additive Manufacturing
- How can additive manufacturing change the way we design, produce, and consume goods?
- What is (and isn’t) possible to create with additive printing? What are the constraints in geometry, resolution, and materials?
- What are the promises and perils of ubiquitous, democratized additive manufacturing?
- How can additive manufacturing both empower and be supported by frontier technologies?
Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology
- What is a blockchain or distributed ledger? What are examples where blockchain technology might be useful beyond cryptocurrencies?
- How are cryptocurrencies stored, transmitted, and mined at a diagrammatic level? At a mathematical level?
- What are the legal, environmental, and cybersecurity issues surrounding blockchain technology? Are you equipped to make rigorous evaluations of blockchain technology in your individual and business pursuits?
Robotics, Drones, and Autonomous Vehicles
- What are key concepts empowering the current and next generation of robotics, drones, and autonomous vehicles?
- What are the ethical considerations around systems like self-driving vehicles, including issues that may inhibit the adoption of these technologies?
- How are advancements in robotics, drones, and autonomous vehicles tied to progress being made in other frontier technologies?
Select Guest Speakers
Our seminar has convened and featured a diverse array of researchers and practitioners as guest speakers.