Assigned Blog Post 8

Embarking on the ‘AI for Oceans’ Hour of Code adventure on Code.org was a captivating experience that immersed me in the world of artificial intelligence and underscored its direct relevance to marine conservation. I am eager to share my journey, insights, and reflections on coding, all of which highlight the crucial role of understanding coding in today’s digital era.

Exploring AI for Oceans

The interactive journey through AI for Oceans introduced me to coding concepts tailored towards marine conservation scenarios. The experience involved coding and applying principles to promote environmental awareness and sustainability. First, I was introduced to Ali Flores, who helped build ALEXA, and Dr. Chelsea Haupt, who works at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence. I was introduced to the concept that computers surround us and make decisions that affect our daily lives. From this course, I have learned that these computers already recognize us from voice to facial recognition, and pretty soon, according to Dr. Chelsea, they will be driving cars and detecting diseases far better than we do. I have also been introduced to machine learning, or how computers recognize patterns and make decisions without being explicitly programmed. In the AI for Oceans, they use this to help students program by training AI to recognize garbage from fish, improving AI recognition to identify colours of the fish and ultimately what belongs to the sea and what does not belong to the sea. It’s pretty exciting stuff, and what I like about it is that there are many tips and information about the real-life scenario of what our sea looks like now, such as having more garbage and fewer fish in the ocean.

My Key Learning 

Throughout the hour of code, I acquired a deeper understanding of coding essentials such as algorithms, loops and conditionals. As I progressed through challenges, I enhanced my problem-solving skills, learned to analyze data effectively and sharpened my logical thinking. These skills are valuable not just in coding but also in real-life scenarios, and they require critical thinking and analytical prowess.

My Thoughts on Coding

My adventure with AI for Oceans reaffirmed my belief in the power and importance of coding in today’s digital age. Coding is about writing lines or text and fostering creativity, innovation, and the ability to solve complex problems. The structured nature of coding instills discipline and precision, enabling us to translate ideas into tangible results and meaningful impact.

Significance of Coding

The significance of coding extends far beyond technical proficiency; it encompasses a mindset of continuous learning, adaptability, and creativity. Coding empowers individuals to drive innovation, shape the future, and address pressing global challenges driven by technology. Understanding coding is mastering skills and embracing a mindset that thrives on problem-solving, collaboration, and resilience.

Participating in the AI for Oceans Hour of Code was a rewarding experience that reinforced the idea that I should start learning how to code instead of dismissing it as maybe just for more intelligent people, unlike me, a caveman in this computer world. The journey highlighted the versatility of coding for environmental conservation, data analysis, and problem-solving. As I continue learning coding, I am excited about the possibilities coding can offer to create a sustainable and technologically advanced future. Thank you for this course for introducing me to coding.