b'28 Member News March 2022Community spotlightMeet the Chair of the IETs new AI Technical NetworkBy Dr Elise Tapping PhD CEng MIET CMgr FCMIMy love for engineering all stems from my father who was a dedicated Amateur Radio enthusiast, and I was fascinated when he started practising morse code. At 51, as the Director Ships Support Maritime CombatQuestioning the status quo Systems, Underwater Electronic Warfare Chief EngineerI wanted to explore the possibilities of AI with an I am delighted to lead the IETs AI Technical Network. epistemological viewpoint, enabling the community to Dr Elise Tapping PhD question the status quo and understand the difference CEng MIET CMgr FCMI Driven to succeed between media hype and the technical reality. My first real taste for engineering was whenThis is why I have started the AI Technical Network, I undertook my first work placement at ato support the growth of AI by promoting and company called Computer Devices in Hastings,challenging conventional approaches in business and East Sussex. Looking back this was wheresociety. Focusing on the integration of AI technology with I was most inspired throughout my careerourselves and the world we live in by understanding itsthose five days learning about the skillslimitations, evolving technologies into standalone decision-required from manufacturing to CAD/CAM tomaking entities and how exploring this impacts ethics.process. Here, I decided that electronics wasA revolution in AI technology is already emerging and this the path for me.is visible in future platform technologies. Since then, I have been driven to succeed.I am acting now with the AI Technical Network alongside I studied part-time at Hastings College,the IET by encouraging engineers to lead it from the where I wanted to successfully completefront. But if we wait and see the advantage will be lost, my BTEC OND and HNC in Electrical andand we will be denied the knowledge to progress. Electronical Engineering and secured my placeBringing together engineers, specialists and at University. On my third year of OND, I wasthe next generation of decision makersalready working in the industry, on a mission to be sponsored right the way through andAt the end of March 2021, I proposed that the AI had been accepted into university.Technical Network formulated with the support of the IET because one of their primary objectives is to It was at university that I was first introducedencourage engineers to create Technical Networks to to the IET and became a student member. Icollaborate on ideas. went onto to become a Chartered EngineerThey also engage with specialists, engineers and the with them and right from the start of mynext generation of decision makers who I encourage career, the companies I have worked for haveto join our Technical Network and ultimately, help all recognised this status as paramount make the UK a global leader in AI technology thathelping me progress in my career. will change all our lives. I still remember the moment I received aOur journey has already begun, and the IET held a typed memo from my Managing DirectorResponsible AI Series from November to December congratulating me on receiving an honours2021 which highlighted areas of research and degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineeringencouraged the industry to explore these. I am infrom Greenwich University. the process of planning the next steps and lookingfor other engineers and technicians to join us.If youre interested in joining the AI Technical Network, get in touch with VictoriaRooke@theiet.org'