Blog post #10

 Age of Artificial Intelligence

In today's day and age, the media has taken over. With the evolution of technology, there are new software, updates, new types of cell phones with 3D cameras, and so many more inventions that are occurring every single day. You may not take into account how INSANE new technologies are compared to what our parents grew up with. But have you ever learned about artificial intelligence? Just the name of this shows that you can create intelligence, rather than being born with it. The documentary Age of AI explores how the concept of artificial intellegnace is changing life as we know it- from jobs, to privacy, to growing rivalry between the U.S. and China. 

Artificial Intelligence is intelligence demonstrated by machines, as opposed to natural intelligence displayed by animals including humans. AI applicants include advanced websearch engines, recommendation systems, understanding human speech, self-driving cars, automated decision-making and competing at the highest level in strategic game systems. As machines become increasingly capable to require "intelligence" are often removed from the definition of AI, which is known as the AI effect. In the video we watched in class, AI is being used in a game where they describe it as "one type of intelligence beating another". 

Growing up, we have always heart of the mystery of self driving cars. In elemetry school our teachers would always say when we grow up there will be robots for everything and cars that drove itself, but never did I think this could be possible. However, artificale intelligence, has in fact, made this possible. It is possible because of the allgorythms written by Yoshua Bengio, and a small group of scientists. Cars, trucks, and buses can all be self-driven. But don't you see a downside. I do. This is a huge downside for people who make a living off driving cars, trucks, and buses... this is their job, and with this new invention, these employees could be out of a job. technology shouldn't surround our world in the sense of taking away jobs. I think the evolution of technology is amazing. However, it comes to a certain point. 

In class, we spoke about the invasion of privacy and how new technologies run by the government can uses facial tracking, to gain a better view of what people are doing. There is not only facial tracking, but tracking of what you search on the internet and social media and also where you are using your money. There is a point where I think this could have a positive out come. I watch so many criminal based shows like criminal minds and law and order, and they use facial recognition to find where their supsets may be, and where they have last been. This helps them stop criminals. For advertisement, I think this could be positive for companies to know what their targeted audience is looking for, which will help it pop-up to their feed. BUT, I also agree this is a huge invasion of privacy for people. Its scary to think that you are always being watched, and have to be careful what you do and how you live your life. 

With the aid of AI, the evolution of technology can grow, inspire, and change the world as we know it. But I would like to see a world that is still not fully reliant on technology, and that there is a medium in which the government can be thoughtful about our own privacy. 

blog post #11

 EOTO: What I Learned

For the second EOTO presentation, my group researched and presented aspects of the 'media-sphere. I found this topic so interesting. We presented on topics such as Whistleblowers, Online-influencers, alternative media, and mainstream media. However, the online influencers presented by Claire are what stood out to me the most. 

Throughout the semester, I have learned so much about the importance of online influencers and the impact they have on companies and brands through advertisement. This is why I was so interested in the topic of online influencers in the media sphere. When I think of an online influencer the first person who always comes to mind is Kim Kardashian. This is because she has promoted and posted so much content on specific brands, and we hear how much she can make on just a singular post. But there are many forms of what an influencer can be. there are mega, macro, and micro-influencers. They all have the capability of success for a brand, but it depends on the money a company wants to give to the influencer to create the most benefit for the brand as a whole. 

An online influencer is a user on social media who has established credibility in a specific industry. these influencers have access to a large audience and can persuade their audience by virtue of their authenticity and reach. Depending on who the influencer is, and what their main focus is, affects who the audience will be. Examples of specific influencers are gamers who are on platforms such as Twitch and live streaming, Ticktockers, YouTubers, beauty gurus, bloggers, celebrities, sports professionals, etc. Many influencers actually make a living with their earrings on their social media posts. There are influencer types like brand association, content creators, brand ambassadors, affiliate marketing, social media takeovers, and giveaways. 

Even though being an online influencer may seem great and easy, there are downsides that come with it for the influencer and the company itself. If you are a big celebrity and influence online, there can be a lot of hate and bullying comments attached to this person. There are cases of harassment, invasion of privacy, racism, and a lot of body shaming. One of my favorite influencers is a plus-size woman who does clothing halls for inclusive clothing brands. She is hilarious and upbeat, but recently she has been posting content where she is upset about all the body-shaming comments she is getting. The invasion of privacy for influencers is tremendous, they almost have no private life due to everyone commenting and watching every movement they make. Also, rumors can be spread that are not true, which can lead to a canceled culture. For the company itself, there can be a false advertisement, and a negative advertisement, which can be a down-fall for a company as well.