The Master of Science in Internet of Things (Focused on Applied AI) program equips graduates in computing and related fields to excel in a technology-driven discipline that is now embracing Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance its impact.
Juan Rivera knows what it takes to engineer products that make a difference. As a Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, he leads the development and refinement of Microsoft Teams, a program that helps hundreds of millions of people work better.
Another way Rivera looks to make a difference in tech: his involvement with FIU.
Rivera serves on the industry advisory board of the College of Engineering and Computing’s Master’s of Internet of Things degree. ‘Internet of Things,’ refers to the ways devices work together through the internet, like how electronics in a home security system cooperate or medical devices in a hospital room communicate.
Job growth for those trained with Internet of Things (IoT) skills is rapid. Roles for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers–all of which commonly require IoT knowledge–are projected to grow 25 percent over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That rate is significantly faster than the average of all other occupations.
Rivera says that FIU’s MS in IoT degree will play an important role meeting the growing demand.
“Programs like FIU’s Master’s of Internet of Things degree provide great opportunities for people looking for competitive jobs. In the case of FIU, the university is not only teaching people super-relevant computing and AI skills for our industry; it’s also giving students from diverse backgrounds the opportunities they need to thrive. When we bring fresh perspectives and unique skillsets to tech, we benefit our industry and society at large,” Rivera said.
Rivera is a native of Puerto Rico and a resident of Miami. Prior to arriving at Microsoft, he spent two decades at Citrix, where he worked his way up from software developer to Senior Vice President of Workspace Engineering.
While working at Citrix, which is headquartered in South Florida, Rivera saw FIU rise in the world of engineering, and was excited to get involved.
“FIU plays such an important role in increasing diversity in tech. The university happens to be the largest producer of Hispanic engineers in the nation, as well as one of the top educators of black engineers and female graduate-level engineers, too. As one of the few Hispanic senior leaders in our field, diversity and inclusion are core aspects of my beliefs, so I feel very strongly about supporting FIU,” Rivera said.
Rivera was also excited to serve on the advisory board because of the opportunity to inform higher education leaders about the latest trends in AI and the workplace. FIU’s MS in IoT specifically focuses on the application of AI to IoT and how it enhances these technologies today.
“IoT devices can collect tons of data. AI requires tons of data. The two are a natural match,” says Alexander Perez-Pons, Director of the MS in IoT degree and an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“We see this today in the transformation of cities into ‘smart cities.’ For places plagued by heavy traffic, fixing the problem requires a lengthy analysis about how traffic patterns affect each other. IoT and AI make these calculations much easier. By placing IoT sensors along roads, collecting data and inputting information into AI, we can make smart recommendations about how to improve traffic light signal timing and clean up congestion.”
As a whole, the College of Engineering and Computing is emphasizing education around AI and how improvements in technology are affecting multiple industries. Last spring, the college offered a class about the innovative ways that AI is affecting construction, and this summer, the college announced the launch of a new bachelor’s degree in data science and AI.
Efforts to enhance the college’s offerings like these are paying off. From Miami, Florida to Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, Rivera says he sees FIU students rising in tech.
“In my division at Microsoft, there is a wall where the interns for each semester are featured with their name, picture and the university where they are from. It feels like I see ‘Florida International University’ more on that board every year,” Rivera said.
To learn more about the MS in IoT degree, check out the program’s website.