Dr Pauline Mosley Of Pace University On The Future Of Robotics Over the Next Few Years
An Interview With David Leichner
Be Fearless, Be Adventurous, Be Persistent, Be Discipline, Have a vision.
With the shortage of labor, companies are now looking at how robots can replace some of the lost labor force. See here for example. The truth is that this is not really a novel idea, as companies like Amazon have been using robots for a while now. What can we expect to see in the robotics industry over the next few years? How will robots be used? What kinds of robots are being produced? To what extent can robots help address the shortage of labor? Which jobs can robots replace, and which jobs need humans? In our series called “The Future Of Robotics Over The Next Few Years” we are talking to leaders of Robotics companies, AI companies, and Hi-Tech Manufacturing companies who can address these questions and share insights from their experience. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Pauline Mosley.
Dr. Pauline Mosley holds a Bachelor of Science in Math and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Mercy College; a Master of Science in Information Systems; a Master of Science in Computer Science; and a Doctorate of Professional Studies (DPS) from Pace University. She embarked upon a teaching career in 1986, working as a top corporate trainer for Personal Computer Learning Centers of America, Inc. where she trained Fortune 500 executives and personnel in a myriad of software applications. She developed computer training manuals for Texaco, Pepsi, The Port Authority and McCraw-Hill and was influential in establishing PC and mainframe user-support help desks for Dannon, NYNEX, and Brooklyn Union Gas. She noticed that very few women held jobs in the IT department and decided that she would become a professor to make a difference.
Dr. Mosley is a Full Professor of Information Technology in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Technology, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses while inspiring and encouraging all, but particularly young women. She is the recipient of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. She has explored pedagogical methodologies that explore why this gender gap exist predominantly in STEM disciplines. Dr. Mosley’s innovative utilization of robotics to teach programming, cybersecurity, cryptography, and other abstract computing concepts has been recognized by The New Yorker. She also a strong advocate for mentoring tenure-track and minority faculty throughout their academic careers and published a book entitled: A Guide for Women and Minority STEM Faculty. She is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) and frequently serves on the program committee of national conferences in Information Technology. Journals in which her research has appeared include The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, The Journal of STEM Education, American Journal of Engineering Education, and The Academic Exchange Quarterly.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started in robotics?
In 1998, I was asked to design and develop a ten-week program for thirty minutes for a group of young boys, ages 11–15. In my quest to find a robotic tool in which to utilized, I came across LEGO Mindstorms. LEGO Mindstorms had just released a new kit containing: an RCX brick and 400 pieces. I purchased a kit and fell in love with its ability to build and code at the same time. Using the “Conceive — Design — Implement — Operate” (CDIO) model as a framework for designing the program — lessons were created which encouraged a problem-based approach to subject immersion, idea generation, and hands-on construction for students. Students were given the task to design their own race car, construct it and then program it to drive autonomously. This was my first encounter with robotics, and I loved it! After the LEGO Mindstorms kit, then came the EV3, and then SeaPerch (a water robot), parrot mini drones, ozobot, sphero, and then most recently the Jupiter Robot.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
In 2015 while attending a Technology Conference, where I was a panelist, I went to a get a bottle of water before the session began. I purchased two bottles and found the room where I was to present. I entered the room and proceeded to the dais where I met another panelist, a gentleman — who said that he was affiliated with the Navy. I offered him a bottle of water and he was so grateful that he gave me his business card and told me to call upon him if I needed anything. In 2016, I was awarded the GenCyber High School Summer Workshop grant. Desirous to utilize our university’s Olympic size pool and SeaPerch (a remotely controlled operated water vehicle) to provide a dynamic experience for the high school students, I decided to give this gentleman a call. During our phone call, I realized that he was 5-star Admiral in the Navy and thus began my affiliation with the United States Navy. This wonderful Admiral provided Navy Personnel each day for the camp. Their expertise, daily presence, and support enhanced the credibility of the camp as well as made us unique in our delivery. The success was so overwhelmingly, that the camp was featured in the local papers, channel 12 and The New Yorker. The old proverb of casting your bread upon the water and it returning to you sevenfold is true. A simple act of kindness transformed my camp in way that I could never have imagined. It truly pays to be kind — you never know how it will return to you.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
In my book, Navigating Academia: A Guide for Women and Minority STEM faculty, I discuss the importance of the saying “Never — Ever — Give Up! Where this is a will — there is always a way, just don’t give up”. I knew that I needed a doctoral degree for academic advancement. Selecting a best fit doctoral program was not a clear-cut process. I just recently gotten married, purchased a co-op, and just landed a full-time lecturer position at Hostos Community College and not I was thinking about pursing a Ph.D. I applied to the City University of New York Graduate Program and because Hostos Community College is a part of CUNY, I could attend tuition-free. I proceeded through the rigors of the program, passed the qualifying exams, and was confronted with the biggest hurdle and roadblock in my path — the dissertation. Most Ph.D. programs require students to be a full-time student. The CUNY Ph.D. program was not different, I begged the chair of the program to please let me continue part-time, his answer was an emphatic no. Up to now, I had been taking course and was matriculated as a part-time student. Becoming a full-time Ph.D. student meant not working. This meant that not only would I not have a salary to pay my bills, but I would also incur an additional debt of the courses needed to complete the Ph.D. since my place of employment would no longer be paying for my graduate studies. I remember, going home that day and just crying and crying, because I had come so far in the program and now because of lack of funds I couldn’t continue. The irony of this is that most of the students in the program were hoping once they completed their studies to land aa teaching position in a college. I had a full-time teaching position and was being told to quit so that I could earn a Ph.D. So, in 1997, after completing 60 credits of coursework and taking the qualifying exams with only the dissertation to completed, I joined the ranks of those who are ABD (All But Dissertation). My options were: to quit my job and attend a Ph.D. program full time and apply for an assistantship or to continue working full time. In searching for a solution, I stumble across the doctoral program in Professional Studies being offered at Pace University in 1999. This program is an innovative post-master’s doctoral program that is structured to meet the needs of the practicing IT professional (Pace University 2001). Unlike traditional doctoral programs that are often narrowly focused, this program emphasizes integrated study between the computing disciplines as well as applied research in one or more of them. It is an intensive, part-time doctoral program designed for completion in 3–4 years. For me, it truly was a blessing! On April 26, 2002, I defended successfully and was the first one to officially complete the DPS program. I had completed the dissertation within the allotted time frame and with 2 months to spare. It was over! I could now proudly place behind my name DPS. Never — Ever give up.
Ok wonderful. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?
There are two projects that I am currently working on:
- Designing and Developing Cybersecurity Labs Using Sphero BOLT.
- Seidenberg’s Autonomous Tour Guide T-Bot.
Designing and developing cybersecurity labs using Sphero Bolt entailed working Sphero’s Curriculum Development Team (CDT) to develop hands-on labs utilizing Sphero’s BOLT to demonstrate abstract cybersecurity concepts. Working with Sphero’s CDT together we created a standards-aligned set of guided hands-on experiences that introduce students to cybersecurity principles, ethics, and techniques. The labs, utilizing multiple entry points and connections to relevant topics in students’ everyday lives, will help to create a strong cybersecurity foundation for students that can be used to improve their digital hygiene and start them on a pathway to a cybersecurity career. A major strength of this curriculum is the differentiation of activities for diverse skills sets, young women and minorities. Labs can be easily modified for these students with diverse skill sets so that the delivery of the content is inclusive and engaging while cultivating self- efficacy — a critical factor in student success. What is most fascinating about this project is utilizing the features of this robotic platform to teach cybersecurity concepts such as: cryptography, networks, secure communication, cyberbullying, etc. — just to name a few. Prior to bolt, these topics were taught with a traditional lecture style or with some programming application, but students couldn’t visually see the benefits of encoding or decoding a message. Having a pedagogical tool, like BOLT, improves student comprehension, promote problem solving and generates idea innovation — all required to propel this discipline forward.
The second project, Seidenberg’s autonomous tour guide T-bot, is a new initiative at Seidenberg where local high school students, Pace undergraduate and graduate students work together to over the weekend to design and develop a program using Python and existing robotic operating system libraries that will enable T-bot to give an autonomous tour of Seidenberg. The goal of this program is for students to learn programming as well as artificial intelligence using T-bot. The autonomous tour guide is one of several projects the group is working on. The tour guide is their first project in which they wish to have T-bot give prospective students a tour of the school as they step off the elevator. T-bot will greet them and then give them a tour of the computer labs, student lounge and videoconference room. T-bot speaks about each location and answers questions at the end of the tour. We are currently in the process of exploring how best to display highlights of the school on its monitor. At the end of the tour, T-bot will be programmed to take a selfie with you and email the photo to you.
How do you think this might change the world?
The way we utilized robotics is changing our world. As stated in the prior question, robotics is changing the way we teach. Traditional lectures which used a methodology of speaking and writing on a board, is a thing of the past. The learning and teaching environment includes robotic technology and hands-on exercises to help students connect concepts and enhanced their overall understanding and comprehension. Another major way robotics has changed our world is by automating tasks that were menial or redundant. These types of robots are doing manufacturing, service-types jobs and any process that warrants automation — like the Seidenberg tour guide which is changing the way students take a college tour.
Keeping “Black Mirror” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this technology that people should think more deeply about?
Black Mirror reminds us that we should always be in control of the technology and not allow the technology to control us. One potential drawback is being addicted to technology where it can overstimulate you, isolate you, enslave you, and cause you to drift away from people and reality. Another concern is the overuse of technology which can dehumanize you and overtime cause you to can create unhealthy dependencies. Another drawback is releasing a new robotic product before adequate testing has taken place. Technology needs to be tested, retested, and then tested some more — especially when it comes to robotics. Anything can happen when robotics isn’t being monitored or supervised, or in-depth testing has not taken place. People that interact with any computer device need to be aware of these potential dangers and think about how to balance their usage in their lives accordingly.
What are the three things that most excite you about the robotics industry? Why?
The first thing that excites me about this industry is how it is shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution by creating new jobs. A lot of today’s jobs are boring and repetitive, and millennials just aren’t interested in doing these types of jobs. There is a myriad of new jobs created by robotics that require various skills sets which generated quite a bit of excitement to this industry. Another thing which is most fascinating, is how the utilization of robotics is closing the gaps on language, social and cultural divides. Having intelligent systems that can translate and interpret social customs and traditions is bridging the divide and this is highly beneficial to all. Lastly, is the increase in economic growth when new robotic systems are available for corporate or personal use. What’s even more exciting is that robotics are enhancing our quality of life by transforming government and health care by reducing paperwork or processes and providing faster access and services. Over time, they are becoming more affordable for the everyday consumer — this is very exciting!
What are the three things that concern you about the robotics industry? Why?
My first concern is how will displaced workers be retrained to be relocated for the new jobs generated by robotics? We all agree that robotics will generate new jobs, but little discussion or planning is being made to provide new skill sets for this subpopulation of displaced workers. My second concern is, how do we infuse AI with empathy and ethics? Robots are programmed to make decisions based on complex algorithms which have very little elasticity for empathy, feelings or unforeseen factors that may arise at the program’s execution. This is critical because not all knowns are being presented to the algorithm which decides — hence the decision may not be the optimal one. Thirdly, is the lack of women in this field. A gender-diverse workforce enables better overall problem solving. In addition, without a range of perspectives, we constrict innovation because a key part of innovation is workforce diversity.
As you know, there is an ongoing debate between prominent scientists, (personified as a debate between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg,) about whether advanced AI has the potential to pose a danger to humanity in the future. What is your position about this?
This is a very controversial topic. There is truth to both aspects, however if we adhere to Asmivo’s three laws of robotics, which are: (1) a robot shall not harm a human, or by inaction allow a human to come to harm; (2)a robot shall obey any instruction given to it by a human; (3) a robot shall avoid actions or situations that could cause it to come to harm itself — this will help us to ensure that humanity is a top priority as we advance and design new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. It is very easy to be swept away with the nuances of AI and forget to be mindful of its impact on society. As this field advances, it is imperative that we infuse ethical practices, social implications, gender perspectives with AI advancements while maintaining control of its origin. Decision making abilities must be monitored by humans and not relinquished entirely to systems or programs. There are some aspects of life that can’t be captured or programmed into a decision process — which is why AI should be utilized as tool to assist in decision making as opposed to making the decision. We should never rely on AI solely to make decisions. As I stated earlier, there are intangibles that at this present time we are unable to program into these systems.
My expertise is in product security, so I’m particularly interested in this question. In today’s environment, hackers break into the software running the robotics, for ransomware, to damage brands or for other malicious purposes. Based on your experience, what should manufacturing companies do to uncover vulnerabilities in the development process to safeguard their robotics?
There are hackers who are paid to “legally” hack a system to uncover a company’s vulnerabilities. I would recommend that companies do this periodically and address what is reported immediately. Companies need to invest in risk management practices to avoid catastrophes down the road. One of the challenges with hiring someone to “legally hack” is that it is difficult to assign a ROI to this investment — so many times these services are not approved. Many companies failed to invest in these practices because it is hard to see the benefits. Hence, it is important that these services are presented correctly and clearly so that companies comply otherwise they will spend enormous amounts of money later trying to recover from being hacked. There are three areas a company needs to assess — confidentiality, integrity, and availability — this is commonly known as the CIA triad. Legal hackers need to ensure that these three strands are secure or that the risk of their comprise is minimal.
Given the cost and resources that it takes to develop robotics, how do you safeguard your intellectual property during development and also once the robot is deployed in industry?
The development and research that I am currently doing with robotics is grant funded and contractual. Understanding the terms of the contract is critical to knowing who owns the products of the research and development. One way to safeguard your intellectual property is to make sure that you understand the terms of the contract as well as who owns the products of the research and development. Seeking legal advice to protect your efforts is highly recommended.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The Robotics Industry?
I submitted a video for this question.
1. Be Fearless
2. Be Adventurous
3. Be Persistent
4. Be Discipline
5. Have a vision
As you know, there are not that many women in this industry. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women in the robotics industry?
Arnold Schwarzenegger stated, “If I can see it and believe it, then I can achieve it”. One way to address this gender bionic ceiling is by increasing the visibility of successful women in STEM. We need more female STEM mentors and role models! Women in robotics need to be celebrated and showcased, which is why I am so thankful to the Authority Magazine for giving me this platform to be visible and share with the audience what women are doing in robotics. We need more programs like GenCyber, CyberHer, and the Pace Innovative Lab that are impactful on high school students, in particularly young women. Females involved in these programs are more likely to declare majors in engineering and computer science than their peers. In addition, young women need to see other women in these fields so that they know that this is possible. Lastly, mentorship programs that provide awareness and opportunities is another way to obtain more young women in this pipeline.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
My movement would be to teach everyone, especially women, to know their “worth”. When you possess self-efficacy, you do not need the affirmations of those around you to succeed — because you know your worth. It has taken me many, many years to realize this truth. You may never be recognized for what you do by those around you and what you do should not be contingent upon how you are perceived. You should do what you do knowing that it is your best, and when told otherwise, believe in yourself that it is and continue. If I believed or cultivated every remark that I was told that I couldn’t do something — I would not have achieved anything. Believing in your self and knowing your worth drives one to excellence — even when the odds don’t look good. If you believe that you can do it — despite what everyone else is saying — you will do it! Self-worth and self-belief are essential tools for everyone, but in particularly women in the STEM fields because we are underpaid, not heard, overlooked, and not valued as we should be. Understanding and believing your worth — is a very powerful concept — because how you internalize your value impacts your mindset and everything you do or wish to accomplish. It is a very personal thing independent of others — yet it is the catalyst to success and the core of being confident. Knowing your worth gives you the mental stamina to confront bias, gender-challenges, and injustices because these things or situations or even remarks cannot devalue your worth, unless you allow them to. You are always in control of your worth — because only you can define or redefined your worth.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
My website: csis.pace.edu\~mosley
Thank you so much for the time you spent doing this interview. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success.
About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is the Chairman of the Friends of Israel and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.
