Perth’s Resources Technology Showcase 2019 Public Exhibition: Take on Scitech’s AI games machine and build a micro:bit

Visitors to Scitech’s Resources Technology Showcase exhibition display can try to beat a machine-learning noughts and crosses game, while at the same time exploring an extraordinary branch of artificial intelligence.

Menace — Machine Educable Noughts and Crosses Engine — demonstrates the concept of machine learning, where systems can learn from data and use prediction and patterns to make decisions that require minimal intervention by humans.

Players at the free showcase demonstration will try to beat the “learn-as-it-goes” machine.

Scitech chief executive Kalien Selby said AI was becoming more widely used across much of the resources industry, through providing improved solutions for innovations — from product development such as autonomous machines, to process improvement around safety.

RTS2019: Everything to see and do at the free Resources Technology Showcase exhibition

“Leaders need to understand the capabilities of AI and recognise the benefits and constraints of this technological approach to improving products and services,” she said.

Scitech will also demonstrate the need for transferable skills and a growth mindset in the Great Keypad Race. Adults will be able to race children to send a text message using a phone with a faceless keypad ⁠— typing without the power of predictive text technology.

Ms Selby said the needs of the workforce were changing at a remarkable pace. Sixty per cent of current primary school students would take up work that currently did not exist, meaning people would need to develop a repertoire of skills across many different types of jobs and a variety of projects.

“To be able to accumulate new skills, a growth mindset is important, and reflects an ability and willingness to develop skills through dedication and hard work to deliver results,” she said.

“Learners need to continuously work to improve their skills, be willing to attempt tasks, and fail fast.”

Ms Selby said this approach was also critical to working in STEM fields.

“The essence of a STEM approach is the ability to test, iterate, respond flexibly and keep going with the process to discover solutions, rather than just focusing on the results. You need to be prepared to keep working through the process again and again, until you exhaust all possibilities,” she said.

“Developing STEM interest, awareness, participation and capability benefits our community, diversifies our economy and develops our future workforce.”

Showcase visitors will also be able to try out the AI tool, Google Quick Draw, and the tiny programmable micro:bit coding computers.

Find Scitech at the showcase exhibition between 9am and 4.30pm on November 27-28 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Visit rtsperth.com for more details or go to the exhibition’s Facebook events page.