Technology – Hampton Roads Weekly

Aug92024 by Web PublisherNo Comments

The Decline of Civil Discourse

How Targeted Media and Technology are Shaping Our Conversations in The Chaos of Our Ever-Fragmenting World, Illustrated by the Israel Conflict Civil discourse, the cornerstone of democratic societies, has been on a concerning decline in recent years. Amid this backdrop of escalating tensions and diminished dialogue, one cannot help but dissect the forces driving our global community away from mutual understanding and towards division. Chief among these drivers is the media's tidal shift from universally appealing platforms to niche and demographically targeted content. Coupled with the subtle yet profound influence of AI algorithms, echo chambers emerge, amplifying polarization. This is starkly evident in the portrayal of events as complex as the current Israel-Hamas conflict, where the...

Sep132023 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Seniors’ Guide to Navigating the Digital Age: Quick Start with AI and ChatGPT

Community, Technology

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving world, technology is changing at an astonishing pace, reshaping the way we live, communicate, and interact. The relentless march of innovation seems to have brought forth remarkable advancements, and at the forefront of this digital revolution are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-driven chatbots, such as the incredible ChatGPT. While the idea of AI might appear difficult or even intimidating at first glance, it is worth noting that these technologies are not only cutting-edge but also remarkably user-friendly and, most importantly, exceptionally beneficial—especially for seniors who find themselves at that unique intersection of traditional wisdom and contemporary technology. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, we can now see how seniors...

Aug12023 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Virginia Beach, A New Technology Hub

Technology

by Ryan McCreadie The global COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm, and many people and businesses became casualties of this unrelenting virus. Regions of the country such as Virginia Beach that typically have thriving tourism saw their numbers drastically lower this year. Like most beach cities, Virginia Beach depends upon tourism as its primary revenue driver. Like their sister cities, they felt the pressure this past summer as popular tourist attractions remained at minimal capacity or closed entirely. The suddenness forced city representatives to reevaluate and rethink the region’s future economic stability as a top priority. Over the past ten months, as the area was ground to a halt, the city of Virginia Beach, Mayor Bobby Dyer, and his team have been meeting with vend...

Jun72023 by Web PublisherNo Comments

ChatGPT: Unleashing the Power of AI for Everyday People

Technology

In today's fast-paced world, the need for tools that can assist with tasks and improve productivity is felt by everyone, from students to professionals, retirees, and stay-at-home parents. While many may think that advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are only accessible to tech-savvy individuals or large corporations, this is far from the truth. In reality, AI is increasingly becoming a part of our everyday lives, enhancing our interactions and experiences in ways we may not always recognize. One such example of this integration is the AI language model known as ChatGPT. This is a state-of-the-art AI language model from OpenAI, presents more than just a technological marvel; it offers practical benefits for the daily life of the average individual. From managing task...

May172023 by Web PublisherNo Comments

We Are All Prompt Engineers: Cultivating Skills in AI/Language, to Keep Up in the Race

Technology

By Gerry White Our society is moving faster than ever, and at the rate technology is advancing, it looks like it will only continue to speed up. With artificial intelligence now at everyone's fingertips, we should prepare to move and grow with society as it changes. To do so, there are new skills to cultivate which allow us to set the pace, or at least keep up. So, as we delve into this world of artificial intelligence (AI), we discover various facets of AI that contribute to our use of these sophisticated systems. One such integral component is "prompt engineering". It is a method used to communicate effectively with AI, especially large language models like the GPT series from OpenAI. It involves crafting specific instructions, or prompts, to guide AI responses in a des...

Apr22023 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Tech Talk-Vote Mobile

Politics, Technology

Vote Mobile Over 200 million people have access to mobile devices in the United States. Still, only approximately 150 million people voted in our presidential election. This needs to change. We now have the technology to put the power of the vote in the hands of every United States citizen who is of age. The more people we have involved in our governmental elections, the more representative and democratic our government will truly be: of the people, by the people, for the people Voting is a crucial piece of our democracy. It has been from the very beginning when representatives from the original 13 colonies voted to declare our independence from England. We also encoded this right in our founding documents with the individuals and representatives both voting. These rights have slowly but ...

Jan102023 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Classroom of the Future

Technology

Classroom of the Future is here at ECPI University ECPI Introduces Most Advanced Virtual Reality Teaching Tools Available The future is now! Most certainly, it’s an old cliché, but it takes on fresh meaning when viewed through the eyes of students at ECPI University. Always seeking to embrace the latest in teaching technology, ECPI is once again proving that it’s a leader in higher education. Earlier this year, ECPI University began phasing in new technologies which are part of its initiative, Classroom of the Future. Within its Colleges of Nursing and Health Science, it introduced the Anatomage Table, the world’s first virtual dissection table, the most technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization systems for anatomy and physiology education. The Anatomage Table is the on...

Feb102022 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Virtual Reality

Technology

Virtual Reality (VR) is a buzzword that is everywhere today, whether in the gaming and movie worlds of entertainment or in the practical would of industry. Still, this is a term that we have heard since the first 3D movies from the 1950’s, and it has come in and out of vogue since then. Recently, however, VR has made a resurgence and is positioned to truly change the way we perceive our information and the world itself. But, what is virtual reality, and where did it come from? Here is how it works. We have two eyes that see what is in front of us from two slightly different points of view. This small difference is what gives us depth perception. Our brains take these two images, run them through an algorithm, and then allow us to perceive depth, or 3 dimensions. Wh...

May222020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Tech Talk: NEW AUGMENTED REALITY TOUR ENHANCES ZOO EXPERIENCE

Technology

The Virginia Zoo is unveiling a new technology that will take Zoo visitors on an immersive tour to meet and learn more about its animal residents. The Zoo’s Augmented Reality Tour is a collaboration with Life Preserve and ECPI University. The tour features 12 stops around the Zoo and provides a learning adventure about the animals, their counterparts in the wild, conservation efforts for the species, and even behind-the-scenes footage. photo by Virginia Zoo “We are excited to partner with Life Preserve and ECPI and leverage technology to further enhance our visitor experience,” said Education Manager, Michelle Lewis. “This exciting tour provides guests with an insider’s look into our animals. Photos and videos allow visitors to explore and discover even if the ...

Jul102019 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Pull Up A Chair!

Technology

Pull Up A Chair! The ECPI University Rams Hearthstone Team Hosts Another Fireside Gathering Fireside Gathering events are a tradition for those who play Hearthstone, a strategy card game based off the World of Warcraft lore. The event brings gamers of all ages and skill levels together to face each other in one-on-one matches, square off in Tavern Brawls, and enjoy each other’s company. ECPI University’s Rams Hearthstone team’s Firesides have also featured Hearthstone-themed food created by Culinary Institute of Virginia students and exciting raffle prizes, such as Hearthstone-themed accessories and books. But the best part of the events is meeting new players and getting a chance to connect with others who love debating the best meta deck and finding that perfect moment...