The Black Eyed Peas artist was joined at the book signing event by Brian David Johnson, with whom he co-authored the STEM-themed young adult novel ‘Wizards and Robots’. According to the book’s blurb, it’s ‘an action-adventure where wizards are real, robots from the future are here, and the fate of our world rests in the hands of one unsuspecting teenager’.
“Engineering is the coolest thing in the world, but it’s also the world’s best kept secret,” will.i.am said during a Q&A at the event. “If you want to solve the world’s problems, this is the way you go about it. That’s some superhero stuff right there. The real superheroes are scientists and engineers.”
“I was a recipient in the past of someone thinking forward, paying forward and giving me an opportunity. I was bused from the ghetto to a better charter school to learn science, technology, computers, oceanography, physics…Somebody doing good changed my life. So now that I have an opportunity to do good, I want to do that for other folks.”
will.i.am received an Honorary Fellowship from the IET in 2017 and whilst at the Institute, took the opportunity to sign his name in the IET’s ‘Roll of Honorary Fellows and Faraday Medallists’ book.
“will.i.am is an enthusiastic user of technologies in both his professional and personal life, fusing the worlds of technology, culture, fashion, and artificial intelligence across his work and is an incredible STEM role model to young people,” said Nigel Fine, chief executive of the IET.
“The IET inspires young people about STEM and how its endless possibilities could lead to an exciting and fulfilling career in engineering and technology. Having advocates like will.i.am adding so much passion to its importance, will go a long way to ensuring we secure the next generation of engineers and innovators.”
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