Dear Region 8 colleagues and friends,

I would like to take this opportunity, as I begin my 2-year term as Region 8 Director, to wish you and yours a happy, productive, and peaceful 2025.

In this rapidly changing world, the role of IEEE has become more significant.  Evolving technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Big Data, the Internet of Things, and Mobile Computing are combining to disrupt traditional models and radically change how we live, work, and interact.   More importantly, these technologies change the way we live and do business:  the world’s largest bookstore is a Cloud Computing provider, and the largest fleet of cars in the world is operated by an app provider.   Areas such as healthcare have been transformed dramatically, especially in the post-Covid era, with ICT used in better analysis, imaging, detection, diagnosis, treatment, robot-assisted surgery, and even significant advances in sharing health records.   We eagerly await the day when cars, buses, trucks, and railways are self-driven, and Industry 4.0 is already upon us.

All of these require power and other resources, necessitating the development of better, smaller, and more efficient power sources, giving concern about sustainability, how all of these outputs affect climate change, bring higher temperatures, and disrupt the environment.

More and more, multiple devices are used to collect data about us, our environment, our friends and family, while wireless and wired telecommunications are used to share this data (raw or processed) through the cloud and social media, with us, with our colleagues and with companies and organizations that provide us with services based on the data they collect.

With all of the benefits this brings, it also brings concerns about how data is used, morals and ethics, and issues of security and privacy.  We are facing significant and growing threats from cybercriminals and terrorists using these same technologies to threaten our society.   There is also growing concern about how technology, and robotics and AI will replace the current workforce.  Many, myself included, believe this to be an unwarranted fear, just as new technology since the industrial revolution has instilled fear of job losses.   AI in particular is transformative – bring amazing benefits but causing great concerns about misinformation, fraud, and exploitation.

IEEE is an important part of ensuring that these technologies are all used appropriately.   We have a role to play in public policy, advising governments and agencies on many significant issues that technology advancement raises.    We have a role in informing the public regarding important issues, and ensuring that our students and young professionals are well-supported and given the best opportunities.   And of course we have a significant role in developing all of these technologies, and disseminating the work that our members have been conducting, and developing standards that will support interoperability, security, and safety.

I am very proud of the contribution that Region 8 has made to all of these activities in the past.  I would like to pay tribute to all of the Region 8 volunteers who have made contributions, both large and small, over many years.   I thank the outgoing OpCom, and in particular Past Director Vin Puri, for their leadership and the great progress they have helped Region 8 to achieve in the last couple of years.

I look forward to working with many new and established volunteers in advancing the mission of IEEE in advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.  I thank all of you who put your names forward for roles in Region 8.    We had many more volunteers than official roles to be filled, but I look forward to engaging with as many of you as possible whether in official roles or not.   Thank you all for all that you do for Region 8 and IEEE as a whole.

Best wishes,

Mike Hinchey,
Region 8 Director (2025-2026)