Elaine Swanson has been named the Technology Workforce Exploration Educator by GO STEM in Eastern Oregon. Funded by Future Ready Oregon, she will promote AI and tech initiatives in middle and high schools across several counties, aiming to integrate technology into education. Her initiative focuses on workforce development, community engagement, and preparing students for careers in tech, especially agriculture.
LA GRANDE, Ore. – In an exciting development for Eastern Oregon, Eastern Oregon University and the Greater Oregon STEM Hub (GO STEM) have announced the appointment of Elaine Swanson as their new Technology Workforce Exploration Educator. This new role, funded by Future Ready Oregon, has Swanson set to lead initiatives focused on AI and technology across Eastern Oregon, a step seen as pivotal for the region’s workforce development.
Swanson will be on the move throughout the GO STEM region, which covers Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Grant, and Harney counties. She plans to engage both middle and high school students about potential tech career opportunities and work closely with educators to weave AI into the classroom experience.
“AI is becoming a part of nearly every sector we rely on in our conventional society, and rural communities are no exception,” she emphasizes. Swanson points to practical applications within the agricultural landscape, noting big tech companies like John Deere and CAT have already started merging AI technologies into their operations, crucial for Eastern Oregon’s economic ecosystem.
However, she’s also vocal about a significant gap: “There is a large divide between those who use [technology] and those who understand how they work.” Swanson is determined to bridge that gap, aiming to inspire local students and teachers with the right tools for understanding and using AI effectively. She insists that talent can bloom anywhere, saying, “There’s no reason AI hardware experts or computational engineers can’t come from places like Frenchglen or Pilot Rock. It all comes down to exposure and a little bravery.”
A Baker High grad from Sumpter and Baker City, Swanson earned her degree in Applied Computation from Harvard. During her studies, Swanson managed to develop a model aimed at forecasting water volumes for Phillips Reservoir, using cutting-edge satellite data. Her work featured advanced AI algorithms, and it’s set to be published in 2026, illustrating her strong background in the field.
Also, she recalls a pivotal moment late in her studies when OpenAI’s ChatGPT-3.5 was released. “For the first time in my life, it felt like I was at the forefront of something transformative,” she says. With great enthusiasm, she now steps into her new role at GO STEM, looking to drive AI integration into rural education, and she’ll play a key role in supporting teacher development in this area.
“In GO STEM’s seven counties, USDA data show that our agricultural producers generate a combined market value of $1.7 billion in products per year, and that 65% of those producers are 55 years or older,” she points out, reflecting on the future of local industries. Swanson is keen on ensuring that younger generations are equipped for the changes ahead.
She is also cognizant of the infrastructural shifts that AI could bring to rural settings, stressing the need for communities to engage in shaping these developments. “AI depends on water, land, and energy,” she elaborates, highlighting that rural areas are increasingly hosting necessary AI infrastructure.
In her view, there’s some confusion about what AI really is compared to the data centers powering it. “AI itself is syntax and math; the actual training happens in server farms located inside data centers.” She notes how common apprehensions often stem from real environmental considerations surrounding data processing.
Swanson’s optimism about the future of technology absorbs contradictions. She quips, “Technology is changing faster than the public thinks… we need to become leaders and contribute to developing leaders.” Originally on track for a USDA position in D.C., she expressed her gratitude for returning to her roots.
“I’ve missed my mountain peaks and a slower pace of life here for sure,” Swanson reflects, eager to connect with students and teachers throughout her beloved counties. If you’re interested in her programs, you can find more information at www.go-stem.org and contact her at [email protected]. She is ready to engage in career-connected learning opportunities in agriculture, math education, and more.
Elaine Swanson’s appointment as the Technology Workforce Exploration Educator marks a significant step for technology education in Eastern Oregon. Her focus on AI integration into rural education, coupled with a hands-on approach to engaging students and teachers, aims to bridge an existing gap in technology understanding. By promoting career pathways in tech, particularly in agriculture, Swanson is poised to positively influence not only future workforce development but also the economy of Eastern Oregon. Her journey illustrates the need for local engagement in shaping the tech landscape, emphasizing community connections in this evolving narrative.
Original Source: www.eou.edu
