The Magazine of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu July 2017 - 6

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Dear Eta Kappa Nu Members and Friends,
This issue of THE BRIDGE magazine has a theme of "Rebooting Computing." Our
features discuss the work of the IEEE Rebooting Computing Initiative, the efforts to
emphasize ethical issues related to artificial intelligence and autonomous systems,
and the quantum alternative to classical computing technology. These papers
show how computing capability and technology is changing. The IEEE Rebooting
Computing Initiative and the IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in
Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems have links to ongoing developments
for the former two topics.
The feature papers contained within look forward to the future, while the cover
spotlights and recognizes key events in the history of computing devices. The
cover highlights the recent Go victory by the AlphaGo program over Ke Jie, the
world No.1 ranked player in a three-game match, something that had previously
been regarded as impossible for computer AI. The history spotlight describes the
difference engine that was invented by Charles Babbage. (Note that Babbage is the
pioneer inventor that we celebrate in our induction ritual as the father of computing.)
His mechanical computer design implemented the essential elements of modern
electronic computers.
If you want to learn more about the development of
computers and the internet, I recommend The Innovators
by Walter Isaacson. This book gives a fascinating look at
the people behind the technology. Its subtitle is "How
a group of hackers, geniuses, and geeks created the
digital revolution." As the engineers and entrepreneurs
for continuing innovations, I believe HKN members have
much to learn from these pioneers.
Regards,

2017 IEEE-HKN President-Elect

Steve E. Watkins
Gamma Theta Chapter
steve.e.watkins@ieee.org

ISSUE 2 2017 // VOLUME 113

THE BRIDGE
The Magazine of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu

Rebooting
Computing
From Ethics to
Innovation: A
Common Code
A Review of the
Award-Winning
Hidden Figures
The IEEE
Rebooting
Computing
Initiative

 Our Cover: Go, another major hurdle in machine

learning, what will the next decade hold?
 The Innovators by Walter Isaacson
6

www.hkn.org //

THE BRIDGE
http://Cover1 http://www.hkn.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Magazine of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu July 2017
