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Lucie Jones

BSc (Hons) Robotics & Artificial Intelligence

Computer Engineering student Lucie

Artificial Intelligence can only grow in the future as it becomes more and more a part of our lives. There will be an increasing demand for people with skills and understanding of robotics and AI.

The idea that machines can theoretically teach themselves and be almost sentient is fascinating. The potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in society – both good and bad – is incredible to think about. It’s easy to see the negative implications of AI, but robots have lots and lots of possible uses. There is a loneliness pandemic in the world at the moment, for example – AI could solve that.

I’m one of those people who, if I have a problem, I want to know the answer immediately, that’s why I find programming so rewarding. With an inspiring A Level Computer Science teacher, a dad who works as a Programmer and my own growing fascination with AI, doing a Computer Engineering degree made sense. I already liked Edge Hill when I came to visit, but when I found out they offered a specific AI programme, I knew it was the right degree for me.

I loved the community feel of the campus but it was the fantastic facilities in the Tech Hub that pushed me towards Edge Hill. At the open day we were shown the Virtual Reality room and the robots, like you are at most open days, but the difference is they’re not locked away afterwards – you’re allowed to use them in your everyday studies, even as an undergraduate. They’re not just reserved for postgraduate research, which is amazing and quite rare I think. We were even allowed to set up our own Robotics Club that had access to all the robots and we were encouraged to teach ourselves how to interact with them, with the technicians around to help and guide us – that was fun.

Computer Engineering is still a male-dominated subject but I do think it’s getting better. As a woman it can be a bit daunting, you can feel under pressure to show that you’re as capable as the male students. I often feel like I have to be the one who speaks up in class. It’s reassuring to know Edge Hill is taking steps to address this issue, like having the Women in STEM Society based in the Computer Science department. We need more women in tech.