If you read the latest headlines from some of the preeminent technology thinkers in the world, such as Stephen Hawking or Apple Computer cofounder Steve Wozniak, you may get the sinking feeling that the days of humans at the top of the food chain might be coming to an end. Speaking at the Zeitgeist Conference in London, Hawking said: "Computers will overtake humans with AI (artificial intelligence) at some point within the next 100 years. When that happens we need to make sure the computers have goals aligned with ours." During an interview Wozniak humorously quipped, "Will we be the gods? Will we be the family pets? Or will we be (the) ants that get stepped on? I don't know."

While this article is not meant to prognosticate on the future or incite any fear into the development of technology, it is clear that some of the great minds of our time are considering the impact, influence, and future of our lives with technology and computers. As citizens in this modern world, it is imperative that we understand and have the ability to influence how technology is developed, integrated, and utilized in both our personal lives as well as society in general.

It is a little shocking to consider that the modern iteration of AOL, the portal for which millions of Americans first experienced the "Internet" came into existence less than 25 years ago. Consider these other companies that we take for granted today: Google was founded in 1995, Amazon in 1994, Facebook in 2004, YouTube in 2005 and Twitter in 2006. Just think of how often you hear someone say, 'Oh, just Google it' consider how that statement would sound to someone 20 years ago.

And while many might think that the technology bubble burst in the 2000s, in reality the pace at which technology has expanded over the past several years has increased exponentially. Consider the rise of 'wearables' such as Fitbit or the Apple Health tracker applications; most of us now carry more computing power in our pocket than was found in the NASA space shuttle missions; and in the next few years many of us will probably let our cars do the driving with the advent of autonomous technology.

Clayton Christensen of Harvard Business School argues that, as humans, we often think of progression in a linear fashion, when in fact in the field of technology progression is exponential. Part of what is driving that change is the increasingly informational content of our products and services. Consider that in previous generations, our economy was largely driven by the conversion of matter and energy into products, while our current economy favors the creation of design and the use, development, and integration of information.

Ray Kurzweil, director of engineering for Google states that "all technologies will essentially become information technologies, including energy." As our technologies become more information-driven, they will continue to develop and grow exponentially.

Future leaders in a technology-driven world will find it essential to have a strong knowledge of computers, software and information. The University of Idaho looks to provide the training and education necessary to develop these leaders both in North Idaho and the rest of the state through excellence in research, education, and community engagement.

University of Idaho, Coeur d'Alene Associate Vice President Charles Buck states, "The pervasive influence of automation, virtual social media, big data, and software-based solutions points clearly to the need for improved computational literacy. We will develop diverse training opportunities in this sector at the University of Idaho's Coeur d'Alene Center."

These diverse training initiatives include partnering with various organizations both nationally and locally, including code.org to integrate computer coding into local schools, Gizmo-cda to inspire the community to learn about innovation and science, and support for the Innovation Collective to spark economic and business development in technology. The university also hosts multiple camps focused on computers, coding and technology to inspire the next generation of students to learn about and pursue careers in technology. Beginning this fall, the university will be rolling out a workforce training program to focus on delivering cybersecurity training to businesses locally, regionally, and nationally.

The university has also developed a first of its kind computer science course that will be delivered as a dual credit option for both high school and college credit that will focus on introducing and preparing students for a world consumed by information, coding and computers. The class will be offered this fall at local high schools as well as at the University of Idaho campus in Coeur d'Alene.

Finally, the University of Idaho is actively engaged in bringing additional Computer Science coursework to the Coeur d'Alene area with the ultimate goal of offering a bachelor's degree in Computer Science.

For more information about local University of Idaho initiatives in computer science, technology, and innovation, please contact the Coeur d'Alene Center campus at (208) 667-2588 or visit www.uidaho.edu/cda.

Paul Amador, Ph.D., is the Director of Program Development at the University of Idaho, Coeur d'Alene.