Fatheree Discusses AI and How Effingham Needs to Embrace It

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Published on September 4 2020 2:35 pm
Last Updated on September 4 2020 2:35 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Joe Fatheree has been Illinois Teacher of the Year and is a past Top 10 in the World educator. Along the way, the educator has learned a few things.

As Unit 40's Director of Innovation and Creativity, Fatheree is working with students to understand present technology, but also advances in the field. Artificial Intelligence is a field intriguing to Fatheree, and he wants students to embrace it, too.

(JOE FATHEREE)

Speaking at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Luncheon, Fatheree discussed projections that 25% of current jobs will be at risk by 2030. That's 36 million jobs.

He gave examples.

He spoke of the trucking industry, where difficulty is being seen in attracting drivers. What, though, if we advance to driverless trucks?

What about technlogy that will eliminate the need for check out personnel at retail stores?

What about projections that the banking industry will see the elimination of 200,000 jobs over the next 10 years?

Fatheree said we need to be mindful of learning about such technologies and to be training young people to pursue jobs in growth industries. He spoke about research that could lead to re-routing the brain to eliminate things like Alzheimer's Disease by tapping into other areas of the brain, or utilizing other parts of the body to deal with physical breakdowns.

Fatheree discussed the Artificial Intelligence Institutes in Illinois and how Effingham could connect with the Institutes at the U of I to become a Smart City. He also discussed the Quantum Internet and the battle underway among nations for supremacy in the field.

Fatheree discussed the Connect Illinois program where the State has earmarked $50 million to extend broadband technology statewide, including the hardware to extend broadband service to unserved or underserved areas.

He also encouraged those present to promote and engage in community planning to embrace futuristic thinking. Fatheree said, "We can't have a 1950s mindset in a post-COVID world."