CIRA: Free Cybersecurity Courses

Wonderful that Canada cares so much about the new global, work-from-home culture that they are sharing these resources for free!
https://www.cira.ca/resources/cybersecurity/guide-how/free-cybersecurity-course-cybersecurity-practices-remote-workers

Cheers!

Review: Facial Recognition by Airlines via Government Data

I'm sparked with many thoughts from reading this article. I would have been shocked like, the passenger in the article, if asked for my face to confirm my seat to on-board the flight. From a technological perspective, does it resolve the seating conflicts that sometimes still occur due to the facial recognition technology (i.e. two faces can't have the same seat)? From an ethical perspective, what other data is known about me with the airline and how else is the airline using it?

As I think more about it, what laws are in place to protect my rights as an American citizen upon my re-entry into the country (via Custom and Borders Protection).

Furthermore, is the government making money using my personal data? What are the security protocols for passing my private, personal data across government organizations? Will people start lying about their identity because of this data exposure without individual's consent?

The author makes some powerful points here that should be heavily considered. We need to apply the same questions to all organizations storing our personal data, and not just Facebook. Especially, the government. And, Congress needs to upgrade their process in getting things done for the people. The people can no longer tolerate Congress's slowness and ineffective methods used to protect the people of America.

Read Article

https://www.zdnet.com/article/facial-recognition-creeps-up-on-a-jetblue-passenger-and-she-hates-it/

Lastly, I'm thankful for JetBlue being responsive and transparent in answering MacKenzie's questions. This is the kind of customer service and trust that people need from private companies.

Review: AI.gov

My Happiness

I am happy to see our national government establish a serious commitment to the development of artificial intelligence (AI): www.ai.gov.

My Concern

I am concerned that I don't see any established private sector partnerships who actually lead the development of AI including: 

• Google
• Microsoft
• Facebook
• Apple
• Amazon
• Salesforce
• Netflix
• Nvidia

Other AI Companies to Consider

• Spotify
• Baidu
• Tencent
• https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-companies-roundup

Review: Tech moving faster than skill development

IBM highlights Skills Gap (World Economic Forum 2019)

IBM CEO Ginni Rometty makes a splendid point here in this article.

For most, "technologies are moving faster in time than their skills" and I agree. This adds to my belief that we must upgrade our public schooling system. Waiting until our kids become young adults and relying on companies to train up our kids for the workforce will hurt us all in the near future.

I like this highlight by the article:
IBM CEO Ginni Rometty said at the World Economic Forum's 2019 annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, that the most pressing issue of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" is the "skills crisis" that would leave workers behind.

https://www.businessinsider.com/ibm-ceo-ginni-rometty-talks-new-collar-jobs-at-davos-2019-1

Microsoft agrees (to a degree)

In addition, here's an article by Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott with a quote that supports the outlook by IBM CEO. Scott goes further than employment into gently suggesting our duty as citizens.

“It’s challenging, because even if you’re a person with significant technical training, even if you’re an AI practitioner, it’s sort of challenging to keep up with everything that’s going on. The landscape is evolving really rapidly,” he said.

https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/20/microsoft-cto-understanding-ai-is-part-of-being-an-informed-citizen-in-the-21st-century/

And, just in case that's not enough to convince you of the dire state edging our economy, here's another article showing just a snapshot on the timeline of the increasing skills gap.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/two-in-five-technology-job-applicants-dont-have-the-right-technical-chops-survey-finds/

Public Thoughts

Here's what the public thinks, before I conclude my point. And, I wish the public survey by Udemy Research had smaller categories especially for those Over 40 to give insight what the older generations think. Because, I believe those who witnessed more technology impact over more years should have more insight and well thought out solutions.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-do-attitudes-toward-the-skills-gap-tell-us-about_us_5a31af5be4b04bd8793e9714

And here's a quick look at Udemy's 2018 Report.

My Conclusion

Companies must become responsible owners of reducing the skills gap. Our government and public institutions have a greater responsibility in driving the skills gap reduction and even eliminate it.

Cheers,