Hello, everyone.
It has been a couple of months since I started the Cross Trained Mind site and YouTube channel. At that time, I’ve realized that I was a bit too ambitious in what I wanted it to be. As such, I’m scaling it back for a time in order to let it build up with content. This is also because of another announcement.
In the fall of 2021, I am starting my state’s first graduate-level Artificial Intelligence program which is offered by the University of Michigan – Dearborn. Unlike most students, I’ll be completing this degree one course per semester, taking five years to fulfill all of the degree requirements. This is because of a few things, but mostly because I plan to work full time and still wish to be a good father to my toddler. And I’m sure my wife may want me around as well.
What do I plan to do with this degree, my second at the graduate level? My ambition is to become a well-known expert in the area of artificial intelligence and an independent writer, speaker, and consultant on the subject. It’s a tall order, especially with my non-AI-focused location. Given the expansion of remote opportunities and the reach of the internet, I am less concerned about that than I used to be.
Given that I already have minors in philosophy and psychology, majors in computer science and cognitive science, and my Master’s in computer science, what do I get from this second Master’s? I always say that you get what you earn at school. For each course, even the non-AI ones, I will be extending all projects beyond what the course requires and adding them to my portfolio, writing up my thoughts about what I’m learning, and creating tutorials. All of this content will appear here and on my channel.
I will also be reading and writing about a cognitive science book each semester, as this is an entirely technical degree. While I don’t agree that artificial intelligence is solely a part of computer science, many think so and most degrees are set up that way. I will not limit myself in that way at all. These books should help me work out my Master’s Project.
I will be doing an independent project each semester that contributes to my Master’s Project, my Perception Engine. This also adds to my portfolio, which will always be accessible from this site. These projects are to make sure that I am always making progress beyond what is simply required by my degree.
I have had aspirations of writing a book for some time, so all of these writings and tutorials will also work toward that goal. I plan to have a book published about the time that I graduate about the fundamentals of learning AI.
While it sounds like a lot, especially since I’ll also be working, I’ll be taking summers off except for writing here and creating videos. I want the Cross Trained Mind to be relevant for as many people as possible.
So there is a lot going on in my life and with CTM. It’s not going to be easy, but no goal should be. It’s all attainable, so long as I keep making progress throughout the upcoming years. I’m excited to be doing this as well as sharing it with you. I hope you’ll continue to follow me on my journey into the future of artificial intelligence.
