The document discusses emerging technologies and their impact on education and workforce development. It highlights Ray Kurzweil's work on exponential technological growth and the need for educational institutions to develop more responsive curricula aligned with industry needs. Examples are provided of new technologies like digital forensics, hybrid vehicles, and wind turbines that require new skills and more interdisciplinary education. The importance of partnerships between education and industry is emphasized to help develop resources and prepare students for evolving job requirements.

1. 5th World and Texas Clusters
Michael Bettersworth &
Jim Brazell

2. Ray Kurzweil & The Singularity
Go to www.singularity.com
for more info.

3. Ray Kurzweil
Source: Kurzweil, The Singularity is Near
Exponentially
more Power
over Time.

4. Ray Kurzweil
Exponentially
less Cost over
Time.
Source: Kurzweil, The Singularity is Near

5. Ray Kurzweil
Source: Kurzweil, The Singularity is Near
Did your
regional college
have a web
program in
1995?
Does your
regional
college have a
web curriculum
today?

6. Ray Kurzweil
An analysis of the history of technology
shows that technological change is
exponential, contrary to the common-
sense "intuitive linear" view.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0 10 5020 100
Time
30 40 60 70 80 90
Linear View
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0 10 5020 100
Time
30 40 60 70 80 90
Exponential View

7. “So we won't experience 100 years
of progress in the 21st century -- it
will be more like 20,000 years of
progress (at today's rate)… because
we're doubling the rate of progress
every decade, we'll see a century of
progress--at today's rate--in only 25
calendar years.”
Kurzweil, KurzweilAI.net, March 7, 2001

8. “So we won't experience 100 years
of progress in the 21st century -- it
will be more like 20,000 years of
progress (at today's rate)… because
we're doubling the rate of progress
every decade, we'll see a century of
progress--at today's rate--in only 25
calendar years.”
Kurzweil, KurzweilAI.net, March 7, 2001

9. Preview
• Workforce
• Education
• Learning Strategies

10. Workforce Context

11. The number of jobs
requiring technical
training is growing at five
times the rate of other
occupations.
Innovate America, U.S. Council on Competitiveness
Workforce Context

12. Texas Cluster Initiative - Workforce
“60% of the jobs in the Texas
biotechnology cluster require only
an associates degree or certificate.”
The reality is many of the Texas
Cluster’s high-tech jobs are split
between requirements for
community and technical college
degrees and 4-year degrees.
Skilled technical jobs are attainable
and critically needed by industry.
Dr. Mae Jemison,
Chair, Biotechnology
Cluster

13. Workforce Context

14. Samuel Palmisano (CEO, IBM): Business Week: 10.11.2004
100 million jobs are going to
be created in a lot of these
cross-disciplinary fields
Council on Competitiveness:
National Innovation Initiative
Workforce Context

16. Navy
Job
Mergers

17. Job Mergers - HTI
Source: Internet Home Alliance, Net Gain: Advancing the Market for Home Technology Integrators, 2004
“the convergence or
merging of previously
separate technologies
and systems in the
home, including
integrated home
control,
computer/home
network,
communications,
lighting and energy
management,
entertainment and
security, health and
safety.”

18. Job Mergers – Wind Turbine
Lineman
Oil Field
Farm Mechanic
Wind Turbine Tech

19. Partnerships between public
education and the private sector
are imperative and must be
focused on identifying and
developing resources to prepare
students for advancing skill
requirements.
Texas Cluster Initiative - Workforce

20. TEXASINDUSTRYPROFILES.com

22. Texas Cluster GIS

23. Kaki Leyens in the Office of Employer
Initiatives at the Texas Workforce
Commission is the primary liaison to
education. If you are interested in
forming partnerships with industries to
support your students, please leave a
card, and I will pass them on to Kaki.

24. Preview
• Workforce
• Education
• Learning Strategies

25. Indicators of New Curriculum
Future
Workforce
Trends
Future
Workforce
Trends
Technology
Trends
Technology
Trends
Futurist
Predictions
Futurist
Predictions
Anticipated
New Programs
Anticipated
New Programs
Applied/Basic
Research
Applied/Basic
Research
Economic
Development
Efforts
Economic
Development
Efforts
New
Programs/Courses
New
Programs/Courses
Program
Revisions
Program
Revisions
Expressed
Need
Expressed
Need Associate
Degrees
Local
Needs
Advanced
Technology
Certificates
Special
Topics
Certificates

26. Future
Workforce
Trends
Future
Workforce
Trends
Technology
Trends
Technology
Trends
Futurist
Predictions
Futurist
Predictions
Anticipated
New Programs
Anticipated
New Programs
Applied/Basic
Research
Applied/Basic
Research
Economic
Development
Efforts
Economic
Development
Efforts
New
Programs/Courses
New
Programs/Courses
Program
Revisions
Program
Revisions
Expressed
Need
Expressed
Need Associate
Degrees
Local
Needs
Advanced
Technology
Certificates
Special
Topics
Certificates
t
Indicators of New Curriculum

27. The Texas Industry Cluster
Initiative leaders emphasize that
curricula must be increasingly
responsive and adaptable to
advances in technology.
Texas Cluster Initiative - Education

28. Texas Emerging Technology Workforce Curriculum Forecasting
Detailed
Analysis
Potential Emerging
Technology Topics
Preliminary Emerging
Technology Topics
Enviro
Scanning
Industry
Surveys
CTC
Surveys
Texas
Economic
Clusters
•Criteria for Determining to
Target a Particular Topic
•Is it a high skill/high wage
industry environment?
•Can existing curricula be
leveraged?
•What is the CTC curriculum
history in this area?
•What is the Industry lifecycle
point (growth industry)?
•Does the topic indicate a
potential industry shift?
•“Wildcards”
Outcome: Topic
recommendations for
consideration.
Criteria for Selection for
Detailed Analysis
•Jobs. Positive strategic
employment growth projections.
•Trends. Promisingly
competitive environment for
industry.
•Timing. Timing of workforce
demand justifies development.
•CTC Relevance. Appropriate
level of education.
•Utility. Cross-functional nature
of knowledge, skills, and
abilities.
•Significant structural change
within industry.
Outcome: TechBriefs. Topics
selected for further analysis or
marked for continued tracking.
Criteria for Outputs of Detailed
Studies
•Further strategic employment
projections.
•Drivers and constraints affecting the
industry.
•Size and location of market.
•Connection(s) to existing CTC
awards.
•Ability and ease of replication.
•Physical and capital costs.
•Industry and education partnerships
to be leveraged.
•Anticipated longevity of curriculum.
•Linkages to previous CD products
•National Best Practices
Outcome: Detail Study. Detailed
recommendations and specifications
for funding.
1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 4th Quarter
R
E
S
E
A
R
C
H
R
E
S
E
A
R
C
H

29. The Texas Industry Cluster
Initiative leaders emphasize the
alignment of workforce skill
requirements and through all
levels of P16 education.
Texas Cluster Initiative - Education

30. 1. Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing
a) Nanotechnology and Materials
b) Micro-electromechanical Systems
c) Semiconductor Manufacturing
d) Automotive Manufacturing
2. Aerospace and Defense
3. Biotechnology and Life Sciences(Excluding Medical Services)
4. Information and Computer Technology
a) Communications Equipment
b) Computing Equipment Semiconductors
c) Information Technology
5. Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products
6. Energy
a) Oil and Gas Production
b) Power Generation and Transmission
c) Manufactured Energy Systems
Texas Cluster Initiative

31. 1. Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing
a) Nanotechnology and Materials
b) Micro-electromechanical Systems
c) Semiconductor Manufacturing
d) Automotive Manufacturing
2. Aerospace and Defense
3. Biotechnology and Life Sciences(Excluding Medical Services)
4. Information and Computer Technology
a) Communications Equipment
b) Computing Equipment Semiconductors
c) Information Technology
5. Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products
6. Energy
a) Oil and Gas Production
b) Power Generation and Transmission
c) Manufactured Energy Systems
Texas Cluster Initiative

32. U.S. Hybrid Vehicle Releases
• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic
• Honda Insight
• Toyota Prius
• Ford Escape SUV
• Lexus RX 400h SUV
• Toyota Highlander SUV
• Mercury Mariner SUV
• GM Silverado & Sierra Technologies & Skills
• Combustion Engine
• Transmission
• Electric Motor
• Generator
• Batteries
• High Voltage Circuitry
• Energy Management Sys
Hybrid Vehicles
9 Today
21 In 2 years
Hybrid Tech

33. Home Technology Integration
Source: Internet Home Alliance, Net Gain: Advancing the Market for Home Technology Integrators, 2004
“the convergence or
merging of previously
separate technologies
and systems in the
home, including
integrated home
control,
computer/home
network,
communications,
lighting and energy
management,
entertainment and
security, health and
safety.”
HT Integrator

34. Technologies & Skills
• Computer Security
• Computer Maintenance
• Computer Systems Administratio
• Computer Forensics
• Following Rules of Evidence
• Expert Interpretation
Applications
• Law Enforcement
• Corporate Sector
• Data Recovery
• Consulting/Private Investigations
Digital Forensics
Digital Forensics Specialist

35. Wind Turbines
• Instrumentation
• Hydraulic Systems
• Electronics Systems
• Mechanical Systems
• Airfoils & Composites
• Data Communications
Wind Turbine Technician

36. Fuel Cells
• Math
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Instrumentation
• Electrical Theory & Devices
• Industrial Automatic Control
• Programmable Logic Controllers
Fuel Cell Systems Technician

37. Mechatronics
The synergistic
combination of
mechanical
engineering,
electronics,
control systems
and computers.
Mechanical, Aerospace, and
Nuclear Engineering
Departments at RPI
All Contents Copyright(C) 2001 Mechatronics Lab at RPI
From: Jim Brazell, 5th World

38. Nanotechnology Fuel Cells Digital Games
Homeland Security ADM, Hybrid, MEMS, Computer Forensics Wireless: M2M
Resulting Emerging Technology Studies

39. www.forecasting.system.tstc.edu
• Download complete
emerging technology
studies for free
• Register with the site for
future publications
• Participate in emerging
technology topic surveys

40. Resulting Emerging Technology Briefs
• Artificial Intelligence
• Crime Scene Technician
• Home Technology
Integration
• Liquefied Natural Gas
• Mechatronics
• Nuclear Power
Technician
• Photovoltaic Technician
• Polysomnography
• Retinal Angiographer
• Wind Turbines

41. www.tslccd.org
• Curriculum
• Lesson Plans
• Syllabi
• Contacts
• Partners
• Examples

42. www.thecb.state.tx.us/OS/Grants/Perkins/
• Get paid to develop new
curriculum!
• $150,000 towards
DACUM, PCAL, travel,
advisory committees,
contracting, materials,
research, etc.

43. Preview
• Workforce
• Education
• Learning Strategies

45. Adapted from Charles Ostman
Senior Fellow
Institute for Global Futures
NEURO NANO
BIOINFO
S&T Convergence

46. Transdisciplinarity

47. Source: Brazell, IC2
Institute, 2004
Yang Cai, Ingo Snel, Betty Chenga, Suman
Bharathi, Clementine Klein d, Judith Klein-
Seetharaman; Carnegie Mellon University,
University of Frankfurt, Research Institute,
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
www.andrew.cmu.edu/~ycai/biogame.pdf
BIOSIM
1.0

48. Chemistry
Engineering
BiologyPhysics
Educational
Convergence
Informatics

51. Math Engineering
TechScience
STEM

52. Math Engineering
TechScience
ARTS

53. Math Engineering
TechScience
TEAMS

54. GAME TEAMS
Games have captured
millennials imagination
and time.
Leverage the attention
economy of games to
develop next generation
workforce.
We need to pierce the
veil of play and support
game-based
constructivist learning.
Transdisciplinarity is
the common
denominator.
Games NANO BIO INFO NEURO
Game Builder = System Builder
TEAMS Educational Pull

56. Population: 1.4MM Growth: 1200/day
Educational Sites 3 - 5 minutes
EA online games 9 minutes
AOL Entertainment 10 minutes
Whyville.net 59 minutes
Yahoo! Games 78 minutes
MEAN TIME PER USER LOGIN
Discovery.com: 96 million
Whyville.net: 58.4 million
BigChalk: 11 million
Time for Kids: 8 million
New York Times Learning Net: 1.2 million
Cosmogirl: 425,000
PAGE VIEWS
©numedeon,inc.2003
The average time per log in July was 3.8 hours making it second to Neopets.

58. Mechatronics
The synergistic
combination of
mechanical
engineering,
electronics,
control systems
and computers.
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear
Engineering Departments at RPI
All Contents Copyright(C) 2001
Mechatronics Lab at RPI

68. Preview
• Workforce
• Education
• Learning Strategies

69. Ray Kurzweil & The Singularity
Go to www.singularity.com
for more info.

70. What is driving
these advances?
Innovation & Competitiveness
“Innovation is the key to driving growth
and prosperity. Economists calculate
that approximately 50% of U.S. annual
GDP growth is attributed to increases in
innovation.”
Council on Competitiveness

71. Changing Nature of Innovation
1. Faster
2. Multidisciplinary
3. Collaborative
4. Democratized
5. Global
From: Measuring Regional Innovation, Council on Competitiveness
http://www.compete.org/

72. Changing Nature of Competitiveness
1. Graduation Rates
2. Globalization
3. Outsourcing
4. Offshoring
5. Insourcing
6. Demographics
http://www.compete.org/

73. Technology curriculum is
increasingly multidisciplinary,
comprising knowledge, skills and
abilities from traditionally
desperate academic and
occupational domains.
Changing Nature of Innovation

74. “…the changing nature of innovation and
accelerating global competition means that
the U.S. can no longer rest on its past
success. Our innovation leadership is not
guaranteed and neither is our history of a
rising living standard. To sustain our
growth, we must innovate more, innovate
better, and innovate faster.”
Measuring Regional Innovation
Council on Competitiveness

75. “…the changing nature of innovation and
accelerating global competition means that
the U.S. can no longer rest on its past
success. Our innovation leadership is not
guaranteed and neither is our history of a
rising living standard. To sustain our
growth, we must innovate more, innovate
better, and innovate faster.”
Measuring Regional Innovation
Council on Competitiveness

76. “…the changing nature of innovation and
accelerating global competition means that
the U.S. can no longer rest on its past
success. Our innovation leadership is not
guaranteed and neither is our history of a
rising living standard. To sustain our
growth, we must innovate more, innovate
better, and innovate faster.”
Measuring Regional Innovation
Council on Competitiveness

77. “…the changing nature of innovation and
accelerating global competition means that
the U.S. can no longer rest on its past
success. Our innovation leadership is not
guaranteed and neither is our history of a
rising living standard. To sustain our
growth, we must innovate more, innovate
better, and innovate faster.”
Measuring Regional Innovation
Council on Competitiveness

78. “The future will always surprise
us…
…but it shouldn’t dumbfound us.”
Buckminster Fuller

79. Jim Brazell
Consulting Analyst
Digital Media Collaboratory
UT Austin
jim@ventureramp.com
210-381-6476
www.ventureramp.com
Michael A Bettersworth
Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Advancement
Texas State Technical College
michael.bettersworth@tstc.edu
512.391.1705
www.system.tstc.edu/forecasting