Randy P. Sparkman

Randy Sparkman is a technologist and writer. Beginning with the advent of the personal computer, he spent a career on the front line of the emergence of our digital world. He recently retired from NASA after a long career as an enterprise IT manager. Over those years, he was privileged with deep and varied experience in enterprise networks, data centers, computation, storage, applications, and cyber-security.

He served as a member of a public K-12 Board of Education for fourteen years and remains an impactful champion for STEM, computer science, and the basics, for all students.

Sparked by the intersection of technology and education, he's done a deep dive over the past four years into the school, workplace, and every day implications of generative artificial intelligence--what he calls "the last mile."

His 2024 book, "Language AI: A Guide for Humans," is an exploration of that topic. It is a continuation of writing he has done over many years about technology and culture in places like Slate, The Wall Street Journal, American Outlook, and The Industry Standard.

He is currently working with various public and private organizations on AI literacy, policy, and strategy. He currently serves as the chairman of the education committee for the Mayor of Huntsville, Alabama's regional AI "taskforce." And, he is a member of the advisory board for the AI and data science literacy company, Quanthub.

Short Posts and Network

Essays & Op-Ed's

Medium

Book

Language AI: A Guide for Humans

A non-technical primer about generative AI as "Thought Partner."

Amazon

Speaker Reel (youtube)

Nashville Project Management Institute Symposium

September, 2025

Recent & Upcoming Presentations

Alabama STEM Foundation Summit for Alabama STEM Education and Workforce