GSC Lecturer, IT Major Develop AI-Focused Workstation
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
Kelly Carter, Gordon State College lecturer of Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology (IT) collaborated with Danny McWilliams, GSC IT major during the spring ‘24 semester and developed a computer workstation designed with a focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Carter, a longtime enthusiast of artificial intelligence, has experimented with the development of AI-related programs in the past. To meet the educational needs of GSC students and future graduates, he decided on developing enhancements to existing courses to integrate the responsible and effective use of AI.
“The rapid rise of Generative AI in education and society has sparked significant interest across academia, industry and the general public,” Carter said.
In Carter’s fall ‘23 database design class, he discovered and was impressed by McWilliams' “academic excellence, initiative and passion for learning.” With the support of a University System of Georgia (USG) STEM initiative grant, Carter and McWilliams partnered on the development of the workstation, which was set for completion by the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in April ‘24, in which McWilliams participated.
“I was unaware of my path after high school, but Gordon has definitely helped narrow down my interests to the field of IT,” McWilliams said. “It was a fun and enlightening experience throughout.”
McWilliams researched computer components that met development specifications, including computing performance, hardware compatibility with AI software and power consumption, while Carter coordinated with GSC grant administrators and purchasing staff to order the components. Carter also directed McWilliams in the various configuration tasks of the computer.
Carter has plans to support GSC faculty in integrating the newly developed AI workstation into their teaching and research.
“The AI workstation is expected to be continually improved, and user guides developed to assist faculty and students in using the workstation, at levels from beginner to advanced,” Carter said.
Carter is also the program coordinator for GSC’s Highlanders Scholars Program (HSP), a partnership between GSC and Georgia Tech that provides an entry point into higher education for talented scholars seeking a local start to their engineering pathway.
To learn more about machine learning and HSP, and how HSP can support your career path forward, visit www.gordonstate.edu or email Carter at Kellyc@gordonstate.edu.
