May 2025
Dennis Roberson's Vision for ECE in a Rapidly Changing World
At the 2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference, Dennis Roberson—President and CEO of Roberson and Associates and one of the most seasoned voices in wireless innovation—delivered a keynote that challenged and inspired electrical and computer engineering leaders to embrace their evolving role in society. With a career spanning executive leadership at IBM, Motorola, AT&T, and service as Vice Provost for Research and professor at Illinois Institute of Technology, Roberson brought both breadth and depth to his discussion of the trends shaping the ECE discipline.
Opening his talk with a nod to the mission of the Marconi Society, where he now serves as Chair, Roberson invited ECE department heads to actively connect their work with global efforts in telecommunications, education, and digital inclusion. He emphasized the important relationship between ECEDHA and the Marconi Society, urging participants to nominate promising PhD students for the Young Scholars program and to support a broader academic presence in the Society’s initiatives.
Roberson focused much of his address on the four key technology trends that are currently transforming the world—and with them, the role of ECE. Artificial intelligence, he said, is not just one trend among many; it is quickly becoming the underlying force behind virtually all aspects of technological progress. While many AI breakthroughs stem from computer science, their implementation depends on infrastructure, optimization, and system design—areas deeply rooted in ECE. Roberson encouraged faculty not just to integrate AI into curricula, but to lead in applying AI across spectrum management, embedded systems, and power grids.
The second major focus of his talk was the renewed urgency around energy and power systems. Once considered outdated, power engineering has reemerged as a critical area of national and global concern. Roberson warned that the explosive growth of AI and connected devices is placing immense pressure on energy systems, potentially leading to ethical decisions about how to prioritize electricity—for data centers, hospitals, or vulnerable communities. He praised those institutions that preserved their power programs and promoted attendees to reinvest in this field as demand for smart, sustainable energy solutions increases.
On the topic of communications, Roberson reflected on his decades of experience with wireless systems and spectrum policy. He noted that while the rollout of 5G has underwhelmed, conversations about 6G and the future of connectivity are accelerating. In particular, he highlighted the significance of non-terrestrial networks like Starlink and the rise of satellite communications, which are becoming integral to infrastructure and emergency response systems. He reminded the audience that both communication networks and energy grids form the foundation of all other critical infrastructure—and both remain squarely within the domain of ECE.
The fourth trend Roberson explored was the growing ubiquity of smart systems and embedded devices. From smart cities to smart televisions, the Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping how systems operate and communicate. He encouraged faculty to think beyond traditional labs and to align course content with the expanding landscape of interconnected devices, emphasizing the need to prepare students not only for today's tools but for the infrastructure of the future.
Beyond technology, Roberson spoke passionately about the social responsibilities of ECE. He emphasized the role that ECE departments can play in expanding digital inclusion—especially in underserved and rural communities—and in developing technologies that improve accessibility for people with disabilities. He noted that the needs of aging populations and medically vulnerable individuals create demand for assistive and connected devices, many of which fall under the purview of ECE design and deployment.
Roberson also addressed the need for workforce retraining and efficiency in an era of rapidly evolving skill sets. He reflected on how roles like magnetic core threading, once essential at companies like IBM, have long disappeared. Today’s ECE graduates—and even professionals already in the field—must be equipped with forward-looking skills in AI, wireless, and systems engineering. He told department heads to rethink how they structure degree programs, certificates, and continuing education, particularly for professionals transitioning out of traditional government or technical roles.
In his concluding remarks, Roberson reminded ECE departments to forge deeper partnerships across disciplines and sectors. “We’re not alone,” he said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with mechanical and chemical engineers, business schools, and even psychology departments. He called on academia, industry, and government to work together more intentionally to translate research breakthroughs into practical solutions and scalable technologies.
Roberson left the audience with a clear sense of urgency and responsibility. With power and communications at the center of nearly every critical system—from financial networks to emergency response—ECE departments wield disproportionate influence over the trajectory of innovation and societal progress. “You educate the minds that will invent, implement, and lead,” he concluded. “The world is depending on you.”
Link to Dennis’ Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qdgWDYoPYiPifLXYtYVHbVxjW5Ca_Wpl/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=114050779944126460603&rtpof=true&sd=true