Mike Johns wants to talk about the future. And if you did not know better, you might think this conversation was a pitch session for the latest science fiction Hollywood blockbuster.
Instead, Johns wants to educate the Las Vegas community about the importance of the symbiotic relationship between humans and technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI). Science fiction has become science fact and he wants to prepare UNLV for the future.
Originating from Los Angeles, California, Johns pursued his education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). His tenure here as the Entertainment and Program Director laid the foundation for his foray into the entertainment industry. Leveraging his role, he curated a diverse array of events encompassing hip-hop, country music, EDM, and rock, earning recognition from record labels.
Following his graduation, Johns embarked on a remarkable journey, beginning with an opportunity in the music industry where he ascended to the position of Marketing Director, orchestrating innovative campaigns and immersed himself in the burgeoning mobile content industry. Johns’ pivotal role in pioneering mobile content for T-Mobile’s Sidekick device catapulted him into the realm of digital innovation.
It was the advent of ringtones that marked a turning point in Johns’ career trajectory, leading him to traverse the realms of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and blockchain technology. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) revolutionized the digital landscape, with Johns actively involved in navigating this transformative shift.
Johns exemplifies the fusion of creativity and technological acumen. Over the course of his journey, Johns realized he needed to emphasize the symbiotic relationship between humans and technology, advocating for a nuanced understanding of AI, robotics, and automation. As this is a burgeoning field still in its infancy, Johns approached UNLV Continuing Education to work together in educating both people in the current workforce and students who are about to join them.
By addressing concerns surrounding the future of the workplaces in Las Vegas, Johns underscores the potential for innovation to usher in new opportunities, provided individuals possess the requisite skills. As society grapples with the implications of technological advancement, he emphasizes the importance of future literacy. Drawing parallels between weather forecasting and personal foresight, he underscores the necessity of equipping individuals with the tools to navigate uncertainty. It is this expertise that Johns wants to impart on the students at UNLV Continuing Education, which can translate to technological gains for the city of Las Vegas.
Mike Johns’s narrative lands directly at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. His journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of technology when harnessed responsibly, underscoring the need to embrace future literacy in shaping a more equitable and sustainable relationship with our digital creations.
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