The Age of AI

We are living in an age of AI, and there is no turning back. People have a variety of opinions on it, with some finding it intimidating, and others being enthused by the big technological step. So, it is no secret that AI is quickly advancing industries by making work more automated and efficent. Apart from physical labor, AI is also benefitting company profits by supplying them with personal data on customers. By tracking consumer habits, websites can create individual user experiences to correspond with interests of buyers. There is no better example of this than when an ad pops up about something the day after you’ve been google searching about it. In general, when used responsibly, there are many pros attached to AI advancement.  

We often hear people talk about how AI robots are taking human jobs away, which I personally would agree with; yet, robotics companies claim that the jobs which are being taken by the robot, are actually being regurgitated in other areas. “There now might be the need for two more fork-truck drivers, or two more quality-inspection personnel” says a spokesperson for Fanuc Robotics. Americans like to use “offshoring” as a way to blame countries like China and Japan for our job loss, but it is proven that the increase of AI usage is more to blame for the decrease in jobs and worsening of communities. This trend is not just negative for economies but also for mental health and wellbeing of families; we learn in the video how those who lose their jobs are a lot more susceptible to depression and suicide. Undoubtedly, AI is dehumanizing the workforce and the country as a whole. 

AI use raises clear ethical concerns, especially surrounding national security and surveillance. First, because AI devices like the google home, can listen to anyone, turning one’s private conversations into a catch for those looking to take vulnerable information. The surveillance aspect is frighening, too. In Chinese KFC resturaunts, one can pay for their meal just by showing their face. This seems fun and harmless when buying chicken wings, but realizing how intense this technology has gotten, we see how invasive it can become. Like how the tech can find someone’s exact age, and even be used to publically shame and fine jaywalkers. There seems to be no end to the extent of artificial intelligence at home and abroad.  

 EOTO 2 Analysis - Propaganda

I thoroughly enjoyed the second batch of EOTO presentations. The topic and presentation I was most fascinated by was the one on Propaganda. The talk opened my eyes to how important it was in history and wartimes; yet, how prevalent propaganda still is today.   

Propaganda was important throughout history. Commonly, it could be found in the form of posters or speeches. In a world without smartphones, what one saw on the walls or heard on the radio could influence them in day-to-day life. This propaganda wasn’t always positive, but it was usually effective in creating narratives and expectations in society.  

Nowadays, propaganda is not as obvious and straight forward as a blaring “I WANT YOU FOR U.S. ARMY” poster. It is more often spread inadvertently through social media, peer pressure, news outlets, and so on. Even the advertisements we see pop up on our devices can be propaganda used to manipulate consumers and their choices. 

In history, propaganda was used profusely in political movements and wartime efforts. Through the vessel of art and creativity, governments demonized their opposers in order to rally their people against the common cause. Hitler, for example, used propaganda posters to display superiority of his people, while degrading looks and actions of his enemy. He was successful with this effort, as he influenced his people to despise those who didn’t fit the Aryan pinnacle of the human race. I believe this truly proves how effective propaganda was when displayed for unification purposes – but even more so for division purposes. 

We are all influenced by propaganda whether we like to admit it or not. Just on the morning walk to class at HPU, one will be exposed to the “God, Family, Country” tagline more than once. But it works! When asked what High Point University is based on, I recite that line without a second of thought. Which is all the proof I need that propaganda is alive and well in our present society. 

Generative AI - EOTO 2  

    For many, a life without AI seems impossible. These days, we need AI like we need oxygen, some brains can’t even function without it. Students are no longer able to generate ideas by themselves, and don’t know where to begin creating literature or art without AI. It is singlehandedly responsible for the dimishing originality and quality in school studies. With humans becoming more dependant on the tool, it has gained more power over society. This continual growth has put power into the hands of AI; letting it take over society and personal lives. 

    To be more concise, generative AI is the dilemma that is stripping students of their creativity and intellect. It’s a serious problem, especially in adacemics. So what is it? Generative AI is a technology that produces text, images, music and videos in a mass and efficent format. Generative AI follows fixed rules and patters to create a product that seems human. This is obviously impressive technology, but comes with glaring challenges at the same time.  

    Generative AI is a complex issue as it has substancial positives and negatives. On one side, we know that generative AI can be instructed to make deepfakes and spread misinformation, it is taking jobs from hardworking employees, it promotes quantity over quality, and instills lazy habits in users. Yet, in contrast, it boosts workflow and productivity by making quick work of daunting tasks, it is cheap for users as there are a variety of free AI sites that produce valid work, and it can even be personalized to perform exactly to one’s needs and prefrences in content. With this being said, it becomes clear that AI is more helpful to some than others. 

    When thinking of who benefits and who suffers from generative AI, my mind quickly goes to the less fortunate who are losing their jobs and wellbeings to AI machines. People who depend heavily on their employement are being traded for faceless robots. What’s even worse, is that AI is being used to diagnose diseases, decipher medical records, analyze and hire candidates, choose who is eligible for compensation and loans, etc. This may seem efficient, but robots being put in charge of life altering decisions is always a recipe for disaster.  

    Generative AI can make anyone vulnerable to ridcule with a few simple clicks. With the skill and realness of it’s creations, people can be put in terrible positions by absolutely anyone due to deepfakes. Celebrities are especially being targeted. Internet trolls can create images of well-known people engaging in criminal or innapropriate activity meant to tarnish their reputation. Due to how precise this technology can be, these fake images are sadly often believed by the public. Making them successful in demeaning and ruining careers of victims. 

    For my generation, specifically, AI is producing interesting opportunities for a more efficient future, but the negative implications of it make the invention a double-edged sword. No matter the negatives, though, AI is a snowball that keeps growing larger, with absolutely no end in sight. We must learn to grow, adapt, and take advantage of it, before it takes advantage of us. 

 EOTO 1 Analysis

I was deeply intrigued by the invention of the printing press and how it changed the world. Here’s what I learned: 

    The way we intake and share our knowledge and thinking today owes a lot to the groundbreaking invention from the 15th century; the printing press. Prior to its invention, books were slowly, painstakingly handwritten, which made them very expensive and rare. This made access to written knowledge a hot commodity that was kept protected by the wealthy elite who could afford literature. Further dividing how literacy could be enjoyed between demographics.  

    Printed books were not well accepted at first, because handwritten pieces were seen as a status symbol by the elites, so giving the lower-class access to these ways was not top priority. They wanted to keep the exclusivity of books by not letting them become affordable and accessible. Therefore, the printing press was not accepted by the wealthy folk; instead, it was taken advantage of by the poor. Suddenly, the less fortunate were able to be exposed to education and information through reading that was once only available to the rich. Society was now able to become more educated thanks to this invention. 

    Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press in Germany in the 1400’s. One of the first and most notable works of the early printing press was the 42-line Bible. This piece was proof of the power of mass production during this time and made it truly superior to any other form.  

    The effects of the printing press are still true to this day. The press laid groundwork for today’s publishing ways. More people gained a love for reading due to this invention, turning literature mainstream and encouraging more people to gain and share knowledge. Ultimately, the invention changed society and communication for the centuries to come. It has had a truly lasting impact on the world.