'It's kind of fun to be part of the process to make society progress'

Colter Norick not only wants to shape his future but also the “minds” of machines through the science of artificial intelligence.

“It intrigues me how the brain works, how little we know about the brain and how we can use what we learn in the practical world,” Norick said.

The Columbia Falls High School senior’s ultimate goal is to work in an artificial intelligence research lab.

Asked if he thinks robots and computers will take over the world, Norick replied: “Artificial intelligence can only benefit humanity and we shouldn’t stop progress — just try to understand what we’re getting into.”

The National Honor Society member and Advanced Placement scholar ranks first in his graduating class with a 4.23 grade-point average. Despite his braininess, Norick is far from the aloof scientist stereotype. During a May 28 interview, Norick was genial, candid and had a way of drawing out in others an excitement for science that mirrors his own.

To get into an artificial intelligence lab, Norick plans to earn a Ph.D..

“The crazy thing to think about is that I won’t finish school for 10 years. Who knows what the world will be like in 10 years?” Norick said with exuberance. “It’s kind of fun to be part of the process to make society progress.”

The uncharted territory is why Norick plans to major in neuroscience and cognitive science with a minor in computational biology at Duke University, a private research university in North Carolina.

Accepted to 11 universities, the 17-year-old had his pick. He ultimately chose Duke specifically for research opportunities and the variety of degree paths.

“Research is what I’m passionate about,” Norick said. “It’s what I want to do.”

Although Duke is a private university, Norick will have no trouble paying the bills.

Applying for scholarships became Norick’s job last fall.

The work paid off: Norick qualified for $1.4 million in scholarships including three national ones — Jack Kent Cooke Foundation National Scholar ($160,000); Samsung American Legion Scholar ($20,000); and the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholar ($20,000).

Norick needs about $300,000 to complete his undergraduate degree.

“My goal was to make it through college debt free,” he said. “I viewed it as a job and did it every day.”

Famous IBM computers Deep Blue, which beat a world chess champion, and Watson, which defeated two Jeopardy  champions, piqued his interest in computer science. Competing in science fairs at all levels only strengthened his resolve to pursue science.

Norick’s most recent science fair accolades at the state and international level are shared with his younger brother Colin, also a budding scientist. The brothers teamed up in two different studies on teens. The most recent study on multitasking in teens earned the pair a third-place grand award in behavioral sciences and a third-place American Psychology Association award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Norick is inspirated by his older brother, Brandon.

“He’s a great example. He’s getting his Ph.D. and giving me a vision for what the future looks like — the do’s and don’ts,” Norick said.

One of the “do’s” — “Do undergrad research because it’s really stinking hard to get into grad school in the sciences,” Norick said.

Science may be Norick’s passion, but it hasn’t hindered the gifted student from branching out. During high school, Norick has become a talented speaker, musician and leader. His resume is long with numerous awards and activities.

He was a state champion in policy debate his junior year, in addition to being named a National Speech and Debate Academic All American. During his senior year he was the Lincoln-Douglas Debate state champion. Norick has led his team as a captain and was a top point earner all four years.

Musically, he has played bassoon for four years serving as first chair and section leader.

For all the time spent in a science lab, he has spent just as much or more on what he describes as the family mini-farm and is an active 4-H member.

He has raised a hog annually for the past decade as a 4-H project. Within 4-H he has served as a club president, community service leader and youth leader. He was a 4-H State Congress delegate sophomore through senior year and a National Congress delegate this year. Photography was a passion he discovered through doing a 4-H project. A fun fact is that he has won awards in cooking and canning through 4-H.

Leadership is a quality Norick hasn’t overlooked.

During his high school career, Norick was also an American Legion Boys State delegate, a Montana Model United Nations conference distinguished delegate, a Leaders of Tomorrow member and served on student council and Rotary Youth Leadership Program.

Norick can’t wait for his education to accelerate into high gear this fall.

“I’m trying to jump in head-first to see where I’ll go,” Norick said, open to possibilities. “Who knows — I might end up going into immunology or genetics.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.