| DIVERSE AND GROWING COMPUTERS AND DIGITAL APPLICATIONS. Diverse And Growing Computers "Diverse and Growing Gomputers' simply refers to the wide range of computing devices, systems and technologies that are constantly evolving to meet various needs and applic ations Similarly, itis the increasing representation of undertepresented groups (such as women, people of color, individuals with disabilities in the field of computer science and technolo gy industry, and the development of more inclusive design teams and technologies Thus, Data diversity refers to the range of different types of elements in a dataset. The c auses behind the growing importance of computer could be traced to their versatility, Eff ciency, ability to process vast amounts of information at incredible speeds, crucial techn ology, highway and telecommunication services. Ete. computer save our valuable time in any work, Diversity in computing is very important to drastically increase creativity, income, connec tion and untimely better projects that fit all sorts of people. In this era, With the help of computer, Students better understand the basic concepts. Ac tively, including everyone and having diversity in computing brings an advantage due tot he immense knowledge and perspectives of many different groups. The diversity in tech can lead to better thinking, greater innovation, productivity and prof it, It can also foster creativity as people with different backgrounds contribute to building technology ‘Two issues that cause the lack of diversity are: 1. Pipeline: - The lack of early access to resources 2. Culture: Exclusivity and discrimination in the workplace. The lack of diversity can also be attributed to limited early exposed to resources, as stud ents who do not already have computer skills upon entering college are at a disadvantag ein computing majors. There is also the issue of discrimination and harassment faced i nthe workplace which affects all undemepresented groups. For example, studies have sh own that 50% of women reported experiencing sexual harassment in tech companies. Impacts of Enrollment Growth on Diversity in Computing, These showcase the diversity a nd growth in the computing field, spanning from hardware and software advancements t L “d : rT| © social impact and emerging technologies Diversity is critical to success in any field. Diversity of perspectives and experiences resu Itsin robust thinking and approaches that can help yield solutions and products that me et the needs of a diverse customer base, which often improves the value of a product acr oss the spectrum of users. Diversity is often linked to positive outcomes, such as greater innovation, productivity, and profit. Arecent industry report identified a "massive economic opportunity” associated with ine reasing the ethnic and gender diversity in the Nigeria technology workforce, with the pote ntial to add 470 to 570 billion to the Nigeria tech sector and support the creation of jobs and the improvement of products. The report identifies underrepresentation of African w orkers in the tech industry compared to the Nigeria workforce as a whole, accounting for 7 and 8 percent of tech workers, respectively, compared to 12 and 16 percent of all Nigeri a workers. The lack of diversity in computer science and in the information technology sector of the economy, especially among women and underrepresented minorities, is a wellrecognize d challenge. These representation rates are even smaller than those reported for the tech industry as a whole when considering diversity in computing occupations among all Nig efia institutions Bachelors degree holders The diverse and growing as it evolves in the following aspects of computing: (1) Hardware: Emerging Architectures (e.g, quantum computing, neuromorphic ¢ omputing), Artificial Intelligence Processors (e.g., TPUs, GPUs), Internet of Thi ngs (loT) Devices, Wearable Technology (eg., smartwatches, fitness trackers), Autonomous Vehicles. (2) Software: These Includes: -Cloud Computing (e.g. Infrastructure as a Services, (laaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Edge Com puting, Artificial Intelligence (Al) and Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology, Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR). (3) Networking: -5G and 6G Networks, WiFi 6 and Future Wireless Standards, Ne twork Function Virtualization (NFV), SoftwareDefined Networking (SDN), Inter net of Bodies (loB) The Applications/Uses can be seen in different areas, such as Healthcare Technology (e.g. Telemedicine, Medical imaging), Financial Technology (FinTech), Cybersecurity an “] . -| d Threat Intelligence, Environmental Monitoring and Sustainability, Smart Cities and Infr astructure. While some Technological Trends, includes: Digital Transformation, Remote Work and Vi tual Teams, Gamification and Esports, Extended Reality (XR) and Metaverse, Human-Co mputer Interaction (HCI). Some of the emerging technologies are: Quantum Computing, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Synthetic Intelligence and Swarm In telligence The Social Impact of diverse and growing computers can be seen in the followings: Digit al Divide and Inclusion, Al Ethics and Bias, Cybersecurity Awareness, Online Safety and Harassment and Technology Addiction. ‘The New Innovations as a growth in the Computing includes 1. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing 2. Autonomous Drones 3. Self-Driving Cars 4, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) 5, Smart Homes and Buildings These aforementioned new innovations showcase the diversity and growth in the compu ter industry. Digital Applications: Digital applications refer to software programs or platforms that ru non digital devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, or other electronic devices They can be web-based, mobile-based, or desktop-based, and are designed to perform sp ecific tasks or provide various services. ‘This encompasses various types of software, platforms, and tools that serve diverse pur pose. Digital Applications can be seen in the aspect of Productivity in some asit is used in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Apple Productivity Apps (P ages, Numbers, Keynote), Trello, Asana, Evemote, Dropbox and Slack While digital applications importance, also be in Communication in the following ways s uch as Email clients (Gmail, Outlook), Messaging apps (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenge 1), Video conferencing tools (Zoom, Skype, Google meets), Social Media platforms (Face book, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook and Messengers), Coll aboration tools (Microsoft Teams, Slack) For Entertainment purpose, digital applications can function in areas, such as 1. Streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Hulu) 2. Music platforms (Spotify, Apple Music) “] L| 3. Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox) 4, Mobile games (Pokémon Go, Candy Crush) 5. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences In Education: 1. Leaming management systems (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard 2. Online course platforms (Coursera, Udemy) 3. Educational apps (Duolingo, Khan Academy) 4, Digital textbooks and e-books 5. Virtual classrooms and webinars In Health and Wellness: 1. Fitness trackers (Fitbit, Apple Watch) 2. Health apps (MyFitnessPal, Headspace) 3. Telemedicine platforms (Teladoe, American Well) 4. Medical records management (Epic Systems) 5. Mental health support apps (Calm, BetterHlelp) In the Banking and Finance: 1. Mobile banking apps (Bank of America, Chase) 2. Digital payment platforms (PayPal, Venmo) 3. Investment apps (Robinhood, Fidelity) 4. Accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero) 5. Cryptocurrency exchanges (Coinbase, Binance) In the field of Art and Creative, Digital Applications features in the followings: 1. Graphic design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) 2. Video editing tools (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro) 3. Photo editing apps (Lightroom, Photoshop) 4, Music production software (Ableton, Logic Pro) 5. Writing and publishing platforms (Medium, WordPress) For Safety and Security of Computer Users, Digital Applications can also be useful as: 1. Antivirus software (Norton, McAfee) 2. Password managers (LastPass, 1Password) 3. VPNs (ExpressVPN, NordVPN)| 4, Firewall software 5. Identity theft protection (LifeLock) Computer System Utilities are vital in the smooth processing and execution of programs “operations, thus Digital applications usefulness in the File management tools (Google Drive, Dropbox), System cleaning and optimization software (CCleaner), Backup and rec overy tools (Acronis, Backblaze), Network monitoring software and Weather and news Ap ps INFORMATION PROCESSING AND ITS ROLES IN THE SOCIETY: What is Information Processing? Information processing refers to the collection, storage, retrieval, manipulation, and disse mination of information using various technologies, such as computers, software, and ommunication networks. Information processing plays a vital role in modem society and its impact is multifacete d Ithas transformed modem society and its impact will continue to evolve. Addressing the challenges and concems associated with information processing is crucial to ensuring it sbenefits are equitably distributed and its negative consequences mitigated. Roles of Information Processing 1. Decision-making: Accurate information processing enables informed decisions in vari ous sectors, including business, healthcare, and governance. 2. Communication: Effective information processing facilitates communication, collabor ation, and knowledge sharing 3. Education: Information processing supports learning, skill development, and access to knowledge. 4, Innovation: Processing information drives research, development, and innovation 5. Economic growth: Efficient information processing contributes to economic growth, ¢ competitiveness, and job creation. 6. Healthcare: Accurate information processing improves healthcare outcomes, disease diagnosis, and treatment. “] 5a 7. Governance: Information processing enables transparent governance, public engagem ent, and policy-making 8. Research and Development: Facilitates scientific research, data analysis, and innovati on. Some of the Important Positive, Negative and Social Impacts of Information processing, includes the followings Positive Impacts: 1. Increased efficiency and productivity 2. Improved accessibility and connectivity 3. Enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing 4, Economie growth and job creation 5, Better decision-making and problem-solving Negative Impacts: 1. Information overload and noise 2. Data privacy and security concerns 3. Social isolation and decreased human interaction 4, Dependence on technology 5, Job displacement and automation The Social impacts are: 1. Accessibility: Information processing makes information accessible to a wider audien ce. 2. Connectivity: Global connectivity fosters intemational collaboration and cultural excha nge. 3. Empowerment: Access to information empowers individuals, promoting autonomy an d self-determination 4. Social change: Information processing facilitates social movements, advocacy, and a ctivism 5. Employment: The information processing industry creates jobs and drives economic rowth “] ‘a 6. Privacy and security: Information processing raises concerns about data privacy and s ecurity. The followings are the Information Processing Professionals: 1. Data Analysts 2. Software Developers 3. Information Architects 4, Data Scientists 5. IT Managers 6. Cybersecurity Experts 7. Network Administrators 8. Database Managers 9. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineers 10. Information Systems Managers Some key Industries where the use of Information processing can not be over emphasize d, includes: 1. Technology And Software 2. Finance And Banking 3. Healthcare And Biotechnology 4. Education And Research 5. Government And Public Sector 6. Media And Entertainment 7. E-Commerce And Retail 8. Manufacturing And Logistics 9. Energy And Utilities 10. Non-Profit And Social Impact Organizations ‘The Emerging Trends in the area of Information processing includes 1. Artificial Intelligence (A) 2. Cloud Computing 3. Intemet of Things (oT) 4, Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology 5. Quantum Computing 6. Extended Reality (XR) “d ; rTa 7. 5G Networks 8. Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence 9. Data Analytics and Visualization 10. Autonomous Systems ‘The information processing sector continues to evolve, driving innovation and transform ation across various industries and aspects of society in the underlisted areas: (A) Hardware and Architecture 1. Artificial Intelligence (Al) processors 2. Quantum Computing 3. Neuromorphic Computing 4. Graphene-based Computing 5. 3D Stacked Processing 6. Heterogeneous Sy stem Architecture (HSA) 7. High Performance Computing (HPC) (8) Software and Programming Machine Leaming (ML) frameworks Deep Leaming algorithms Natural Language Processing (NLP) Intemet of Things (lo) development Cloud Computing platforms Containerization (e.g., Docker) Serverless Computing Nauk ONS There are several Types of Information Processing based on the following criteria: (A) Cognitive Information Processing: 1. Perception: Interpreting sensory information. 2. Attention: Focusing on relevant information. 3. Memory: Encoding, storing, and retrieving information 4, Leaming: Acquiring new knowledge and skills. 5. Language Processing: Understanding and generating language 6. Problem-Solving: Identifying and resolving problems. 7. Decision Making: Selecting from available options. (8) Computational Information Processing 1. Data Processing: Manipulating and transforming data, “] 8a 2. Algorithmic Processing: Executing step-by-step instructions 3. Parallel Processing: Processing multiple tasks simultaneously. 4, Distributed Processing: Processing tasks across multiple systems 5. Cloud Computing: Processing data remotely through cloud services. (C) Neural Information Processing 1. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs): Modeling human brain function. 2. Deep Learning: Multilayer neural networks for complex tasks 3. Natural Language Processing (NLP): Processing human language. 4. Image Processing: Interpreting and manipulating visual data. 5, Signal Processing: Analyzing and manipulating signals. (0) Sensory Information Processing: - 1. Visual Processing: Interpreting visual information, 2. Auditory Processing: Interpreting sound information 3. Tactile Processing: Interpreting touch information, 4, Olfactory Processing: Interpreting smell information 5, Gustatory Processing: Interpreting taste information, Other Types are 1. Emotional Processing: Recognizing and managing emotions 2. Social Information Processing: Interpreting social cues 3. Spatial Processing: Understanding spatial relationships 4, Temporal Processing: Understanding time and sequence 5, Multimodal Processing: Integrating multiple information sources. ‘The important Theories and Models goveming the modern information Processing inclu des: 1. Information Processing Theory (IPT) 2. Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) 3. Working Memory Model (WMM) 4, Attention Restoration Theory (ART) 5. Global Workspace Theory (GWT) An Information Processing System (IPS) consists of several components that work toget her to process and manage information. These components interact and work together t © form a comprehensive Information Processing System. (IPS). These are the key compo nents: “] 5a (A) Hardware Components: Input Devices: Keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc: Central Processing Unit (CPU): Brain af the computer, executes instructions Memory (RAM): Temporaty storage for data and programs Storage Devices: Hard disk, solid-state drive, flash drive, etc. Output Devices: Monitor, printer, speaker, etc. wkwona (8) Software Components: Operating System (0S): Manages hardware and software resources. Application Software: Programs that perform specific tasks (e.g, word processing) Utility Software: Programs that manage and maintain the system (e.g, antivirus) Firmware: Permanent software stored in non-volatile memory. Rona (C) Data Components: 1. Input Data: Raw data entered into the system. 2. Processed Data: Transformed data after processing 3, Output Data: Resultant data after processing 4, Stored Data: Permanent data stored in storage devices. (0) Process Components: 1. Input Process: Capturing and converting input data. 2. Processing: Executing instructions and transforming data 3. Output Process: Presenting processed data 4. Storage Process: Storing and retrieving data (E) Communication Components: 1. Network Interface: Connecting to other systems or networks. 2. Communication Protocols: Rules goveming data exchange. 3. Data Transmission: Sending and receiving data. (F) Human Components: 1. User: Interacting with the system. 2. Operator: Managing and maintaining the system, 3. Analyst: Designing and developing the system Other Components: 1. Database Management System (DBMS): Managing and Storing data “d v0a 2. Knowledge Base: Storing and retrieving knowledge. 3. Decision Support System (DSS): Supporting decision-making process. 4. Artificial Intelligence (Al) and Machine Leaming (ML) components.