Today, we're embarking on a fascinating journey through time, text, and technology with our guest, Brent Seales, is the Gill Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department at the University of Kentucky, as well as Principal Investigator for the Digital Restoration Initiative, funded in part by a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Brent, a visionary in the intersecting worlds of computer science and digital imaging, will take us through the transformative power of digitizing historical texts. Together, we'll delve into the seismic shifts in teaching and career paths brought on by the pervasive reach of computer science into every conceivable field.

Yet, as we embrace the advancements of the digital age, Brent doesn't shy away from addressing its darker side—particularly the tangible consequences that rapid tech adoption can have on society's younger generation via social media's expansive influence.

We explore Brent's unique trajectory from a music student to a luminary in computer science—a journey shaped by the orchestral strands of a music teacher's advice and the reverberating chords of curiosity and faith. We'll uncover how his work at the University of Kentucky intersects with unlocking the secrets of ancient artifacts and contributes to our collective understanding of cultural heritage.

From discussions on AI's ethical quandaries to the evocative narratives of science fiction that mirror our technological quests, Brent's insights promise to both challenge and inspire.

So tune in as we unravel the threads of Brent Seales' story—a tapestry woven from the codes of the past and the pixels of the future—right here on the UpWords podcast.