Tag technology

The image shows a robot seated at table, reading written materials placed in front of it. A chair is off to the side of the table and a smaller table with a lamp is in the background.

Byte-Sized Intelligence: A Crash Course on AI

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The image shows a robot seated at table, reading written materials placed in front of it. A chair is off to the side of the table and a smaller table with a lamp is in the background.

by Sahana C.

Thursday, April 20 at 7 pm
In person; Savage Branch
Register

Libraries have come a long way – from a time when including a table of contents was the most innovative, revolutionary advancement in conducting research to the advent of search engines. How we interact with information, how we keep ourselves informed, and how we use the tools at our disposal have all evolved.  

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the next wave of that evolution. Though it’s the subject of many science fiction novels, its real-world applications are wildly interesting. Artificial Intelligence refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. These tasks may include speech recognition, image analysis, and decision-making. AI is already being used in a variety of fields, from healthcare to transportation, and its potential applications are only growing. 

Savage Branch is having a crash course and conversation about the fascinating world of AI on Thursday, April 20. We plan to explore the basics of AI, looking at what it is, how it’s used, and its potential impacts on society. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone who’s interested in staying up-to-date on the latest technological advancements, there’s something for you! 

In our AI class, you’ll learn about the different types of AI and their real-life examples. For example, machine learning is a type of AI that allows computer systems to learn and improve from experience, without being explicitly programmed. Deep learning is another type of AI that uses neural networks to process and analyze large amounts of data. We’ll also explore natural language processing, which enables computers to understand and interpret human language. 

But it’s not just about the technical aspects of AI. We’ll also delve into the ethical considerations surrounding AI, such as bias and privacy concerns. As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, it’s essential to evaluate the potential impact on society and address these issues. 

Our AI class is designed for anyone who wants to learn about this exciting and rapidly evolving field, regardless of technical background or experience. Our experienced instructors guide you through the basics of AI in a clear, structured, and informative manner. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore one of the most transformative technologies of our time. 

The possibilities of Artificial Intelligence appear to be limitless. And what’s more – some of this blog post was generated by AI. I asked it to analyze my other writing to create a blog post on this class in my style, and I think it did a decent job. Did you catch anything that felt off? If you want to learn more, to discuss how this is possible, or just play with the possible applications, join us at Savage on April 20 to learn more. 

Sahana is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the Savage Branch. They enjoy adding books to their “want to read” list despite having a mountain of books waiting for them already.

STEAM Machine with blue awning deployed sits on a grassy patch, with a popup tent next to it.

Visit us at the Howard County Fair

Kristen B. Leave a comment
STEAM Machine with blue awning deployed sits on a grassy patch, with a popup tent next to it.

Do you love the fair? Deep fried everything? Rides? Awards for livestock and hand-crafts? What’s not to love?

This year, as you come in the front gates, look for Howard County Library System’s new STEAM Machine. Stop by to participate in a STEAM-related activity, watch a demo, or take a tour of our new (air conditioned!) mobile unit. The 33’ Farber diesel bus features a climate-controlled classroom that seats twelve students. It is equipped with Wi-Fi, laptop computers, two 49” LED TVs, sound system, video production equipment, materials, and supplies, including science kits to conduct experiments and complete projects. A 55” LCD monitor and two awnings allow classes to be taught and activities conducted outside.

As the mobile classroom goes out into our community, students can borrow books and other materials on STEAM subjects. Our goal is to transform students into scientists investigating new phenomena and engineers designing solutions to real-world problems.

Tonya Aikens, President & CEO of HCLS, notes, “Howard County Library System is coordinating with community partners to schedule STEAM Machine classes across the county. Our goal is to bring opportunities for hands-on STEAM education to students from under-resourced communities and families who, for an array of reasons, are often unable to come to our branches.”

HCLS instructors will teach most classes with contributions from scientists and engineers from the Maryland STEAM community, who will be recruited for special events. HCLS is collaborating with community partners to determine student aspirations and needs, identify community locations for STEAM Machine visits, and schedule classes and events. 

The STEAM Machine is funded in part by an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Maryland State Library Agency.

See you at the Fair!

The image depicts an ereader on a wooden table, leaning up against a stack of nine paperback books, with a bookcase in the background.

I Am An E-book Convert

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The image shows a pair of hands holding an ereader with a remote sandy beach, rocky hills, and a turquoise sea and hazy blue sky in the background.

By Alan S.

I am a recent convert to the pleasures of an e-book. I appropriately played the T-Rex who needed help in a recent Facebook video. I have always preferred physical books over eBooks, enjoying the feel of holding a book in my hand more than the feel of a tablet or phone. I resisted the call of eBooks for a while. Working in a library, all of those printed books were right in front of me. Why choose to look at a screen? What would ever make me choose to read a book on a device?

The first thing that changed my feelings about the electronic version was packing for trips, especially those requiring plane travel. When taking a road trip, it is easy to fill a bag with books and throw them in the trunk. This is not so simple when you are packing for a plane ride. I started packing one or two physical books, then downloading a few e-books as a backup. I still usually take at least one physical book on a trip, but tend more toward eBooks when traveling. I’m sure my family likes the extra space to pack other things.

An increase in the number of audiobooks I listened to also led to an increased use of eBooks. My car is still equipped with a CD player, so a book on CD is an option, but there are benefits to an eAudiobook. The biggest is the lack of a need to change CDs. I hated listening to a book in the car and getting to the end of a CD with no safe way to change to continue the book. With eAudio, the book continues without your help. I have also learned the joy of increasing the speed on some books. When reading for an assignment, or if the reader reads very slowly, I can listen at a faster speed and still enjoy the book (I might also be a tad impatient).

If you are ready to join me as an eBook convert, see HCLS’ resources.

If you need help accessing your eBooks or with any of our other online resources, please join us for live Online Tech Time Wednesday, July 22 at 11:30 am. Other sessions of this useful class will be offered in the future.

Alan has worked for HCLS for just under 25 years, currently at the Savage Branch. He enjoys reading, television, and most sports.

Exhalation by Ted Chiang

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The cover shows a dark background with the title and author's name in slate blue graphics. The letters look like they are dissolving into stars, with the dark background as outer space.

By Eric L.

Ted Chiang is not only a writer, he’s a computer scientist who is employed as a technical writer, as far as I know. This is Chiang’s second short story collection (a story from his previous collection, Stories of Your Life and Others, was adapted into the movie Arrival). 

Frankly, I was rather surprised that Exhalation was selected by The New York Times Book Review as one of the best fictional books of 2019, but it’s well deserved. That said, I’d implore you to give this collection a read even you’re not into sci-fi. These stories, like all great science fiction, are only superficially about science and the future.  

Although Chiang alludes to the technical aspects of whatever he’s describing, it’s all just the backdrop. Like all the great sci-fi writers, he uses imagined technological advancements of the future as the setting to tell beautiful existential tales. His stories concern how societies employ technology and, subsequently, how it changes individuals in profound ways.

There is a story about “raising” a computer program/avatar that not only interacts in virtual reality, but also actual reality. One story concerns a rigid time travel portal; another is about the perils of a robot nanny; an interesting one is about a mechanism attached to the eye that can record every moment (you can share the footage with your friends). My favorite features a machine that gives users the ability to communicate with a version of themselves that has made different life choices. 

I hope these descriptions will not scare readers away. It seems odd to even contemplate how rapid technological advancement could not change us. Some of the stories are better than others but they’re all worth a read, and I don’t think they’re overly melancholy. Recurring themes include acceptance, free will, masculinity, and control.  

I find Chiang’s work similar to that of Philip K. Dick. Chiang even describes how one of the stories included was inspired by an old Dick short story. Although I wanted to interpret the stories myself, I couldn’t resist reading the story notes at the end of the collection.

Special thanks to my book discussion group for helping me think through some of these ideas through a conversation over the internet.

Exhalation is also available as an eaudiobook through OverDrive/Libby and CloudLibrary, and as an ebook through OverDrive/Libby

Eric is a DIY Instructor and Research Specialist at the Elkridge branch. He enjoys reading, films, music, doing nearly anything outside and people.