The Age of AI

The documentary “In the Age of AI" by FRONTLINE, dives into the direct impact AI has/will continue to have on our societies. This documentary highlights topics such as employment, privacy, national security, and the levels of power demonstrated globally by different nations (either friendly or unfriendly). Additionally, the documentary details how AI is reshaping industries, developing superlative governmental surveillance capabilities, and places a focus on the competition between the United States and China. Furthermore, this documentary not only brings to attention the growing opportunities and challenges posed by AI, but describes the likelihood of producing the most paramount of results and the most egregious ones.

One key takeaway from the documentary is that automation is increasingly taking over tasks previously carried out by humans. The impact AI has had on the economy across various sectors has not only led to significant changes in the marketplace, but a decline in human influence. AI poses challenges related to the urgent need for the workforce to adapt to new technological demands as well as the number of available jobs. Another important point in the documentary is the expansion and advancements into surveillance. Governments have begun tasking themselves with leveraging AI to improve monitoring capabilities, which directly affects the privacy of Americans with the potential misuse of surveillance systems to monitor its citizens. On the bright side of privacy implications, personal data collection enables more advanced threat protection while enhancing personalized and efficient services. With regard to the negative impacts of AI, the inclusion of data exploitation poses a severe risk into the protection of personal information. This is extremely dangerous because that information can be used and abused without the consent from its owners for both commercial or political purposes. The extensive collection of data also raises concerns about the balance between innovation and individual rights. AI also has a major impact on national security. AI enhances the ability to quickly detect and respond to security threats, providing the nations that use it with a massive strategic advantage. However, these AI systems themselves can become targets for cyberattacks which threaten national security. AI also has significant positive/negative implications for online security and identity theft. AI has the ability to protect citizens and organizations through the benefits of AI’s ability to detect fraudulent activities more efficiently. Advanced AI algorithms can enhance the accuracy of identity verification processes, providing another layer of security for individuals or organizations. However, cybercriminals can leverage AI and turn it into a personal advantage/weapon. In doing this, they can carry out more sophisticated and harder-to-detect attacks. Furthermore, invasion of privacy with the use of AI highlights the need for careful regulation and ethical considerations. One interesting topic the documentary covered is the fierce competition between the United States and China in the race to develop artificial intelligence. Ethical considerations standout as a common theme when discussing biases in the AI algorithm and moral obligations to protect a nation's citizens. Lastly, there is uncertainty with regards to how the collection and analysis of personal data drives AI systems. This reliance on data poses the question of, “how to delegate the balance between fostering innovation whilst protecting privacy rights.” 

Several aspects of the documentary are not only surprising, but frightening. Rapid advancement and adoption of AI technologies across industries showcase the transformative pace of innovation on large scale. The surveillance enabled by AI in certain areas where such capabilities are more extensive than commonly understood, is another surprising factor when discussing the impact of AI. A negative impact of AI is the potential to harm economic disparities, favoring those with access to advanced technology. The rise of job displacement causes millions of workers to search for new roles in an ever changing society, which can affect anyone. The possible lack of privacy is another consequence of AI, with enhanced surveillance capabilities threatening individual security and privacy. Also, the development of AI-driven weapons can cause a rise of unanticipated warfare as these weapons raise ethical concerns regarding the usage of these weapons in war. 

In conclusion, “In the Age of AI” provides an analysis of the impacts of AI on society. While AI technology offers numerous benefits, it also presents significant challenges. AI has a positive impact on society such as enhanced efficiency, improved security, and new opportunities for innovation. However, issues like job displacement, erosion of privacy, ethical dilemmas, and increased national security, places the protection of individuals and organizations at further risk. AI will only continue to expand and become more advanced, so maintaining a balance between advanced technology and providing security is important regarding the use of AI.

Privacy

Any activity on our computer, phone, or Ipad contributes to our digital footprint. Everything that someone does online can be traced back to that person. Our digital footprint poses the question, Is our personal information secure? With our online history so easily accessible, this makes us vulnerable to hackers with malicious intent who could release our personal information. For Darieth Chisolm, her ex boyfriend used her digital footprint as a way to terrorize her. He posted explicit photos of her on a website for the whole world to see. This was extremely detrimental to her image and her mental health. 

Affects on Society  

Our digital footprint can be used in malicious ways if our private information is fallen into the wrong hands, which can affect anyone. Our personal information such as address, phone number, credit or debit card information, emails, and personal photos could be leaked by hackers at any moment. Unfortunately, cases like Darieth Chisolm's is common among teenagers and young adults because most of their digital footprint comes from social media. Young couples might trust each other to share explicit content, however, the content shared does not disappear. An ex partner might use that content to expose you or a hacker could gain access to that content. Nobody is safe from the possibility of private information being leaked online. It is crucially important to be aware of the content we post and share online or on social media. One day that content can come back to haunt you if ever spread publicly across the internet.

Government Involvement 

Four governmental Acts have been established to protect the online privacy of users. The U.S. Privacy Act of 1974 was put in place to give users access to their data and to know what companies are doing with their data. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures the protection of a patient's personal medical history and data. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) protects the personal financial information of users. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents websites or companies from collecting data of adolescents 12 years old or younger. All of these Acts aim to provide protection for online users in regards to securing personal data. Our government could improve on serving justice for those who have had their personal information leaked online by increasing fines or jail time for these crimes. 

How we can protect ourselves 

We can protect our personal online information by investing in VPN services for devices such as mobile phones and computers. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and they encrypt your data, making it harder for hackers to access your personal information. VPNs also make it harder for advertisers to track your online activity. While a VPN certainly helps to provide an extra layer of protection over your online activity and personal data, it is not absolute. To further protect our online data we must be aware of the content we share  and post online. It is also important to know what websites are using our data and how they are using it. 

While cases like Darieth Chisolm's are heartbreaking, it is unfortunately common in our society. Be wise about who you share explicit content with because you never fully know someone's intentions with that content. It is also important to be aware of the content you share on social media or the internet. Everything can be traced back to you through your digital footprint, making you an easy target to internet hackers. With social media being a prevalent online tool in today's society, it is crucial to be cautious about your online activity. 

EOTO 2 Media Consolidation and the Sherman Antitrust Act

What is Media Consolidation?

Media consolidation is the process in which smaller media outlets are taken over or merge with larger corporations. While media consolidation has the ability to increase an audience’s reach, there is an equal chance for it to not only limit the variety of voices and freedom of the press, but affect the concentration of the media’s power. 

The Positives of Media Consolidation 

Through analysis into the key benefits of media consolidation, it is apparent that smaller media outlets gain traction through merging with larger outlets. These smaller outlets now have the opportunity to broadcast on both a national and global scale. With regard to the advertisers, they benefit due to the larger target audience they’re able to reach across the world.
It should be noted that larger media outlets will more than likely have access to larger amounts of money and resources to invest in hosts, commentators, and content creators. With that in mind, this presents smaller media outlets the opportunity to not only produce a variety of content (including engaging talk shows, news programs, and entertainment series), but further enables them to maintain a competitive edge in a growing media marketplace.

The Negatives of Media Consolidation

One of the biggest concerns that media consolidation presents (aside from diversifying voices), is the limitations placed on individuals and corporations with regard to having their own beliefs/opinions. The amount of perspectives available for the public to choose from is decreased and the variety of content is further narrowed as smaller outlets are taken over by larger corporations. Large media outlets tend to prioritize content that will attract the most amount of viewers possible, which consequently neglects less popular but equally important topics. Content from smaller media outlets are often discarded for more mainstream content, which can lead to the publication of media that does not appeal to the widest possible audience.

Media consolidation has been shown to contribute to the rising subscription fees for access to content which negatively affects consumers. Additionally, consumers are being presented with fewer options for region-specific information due in part to larger networks reducing the amount of local media content.
While all of this information is bad enough on its own, it only gets worse when considering the massive impact journalists face. Larger corporations have been shown to not only alter but completely trash journalists’ stories because the content does not align with the corporations values or opinions; this is yet another example of how limited the freedom of the press has become. Media Consolidation also leads to fewer job opportunities for journalists because of the access to advanced technology that larger corporations have.

The Sherman Antitrust Act and Media Consolidation

The Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890,  was put in place to prevent/avoid the possibility of monopolies by making it illegal for businesses to engage in practices that limit competition. In theory, the act prevents media consolidation from occurring by stopping large corporations from controlling the majority of the media marketplace. However, the Sherman Act does not apply the same way to media outlets.
The First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press, enables the media industry to be treated differently. The right to free expression, which leads to a diverse marketplace of ideas, should be considered when applying antitrust laws to the media. As a result, media consolidation is sometimes allowed to proceed even if it limits competition, granted it avoids creating a monopoly within the marketplace.

Conclusion

Media consolidation has both opportunities and consequences for media outlets. It has the ability to expand audience reach, improve content quality, and provide financial resources for smaller media outlets. Consequently, the variety of viewpoints is limited with regard to journalistic freedom. The spread of information is also threatened when viewers cancel their subscriptions due to the increased service cost when these smaller outlets merge with larger corporations. While the Sherman Antitrust Act has an important role in preventing monopolies, it's fair to say that its application into the media industry is far from similar in other types of businesses. Ultimately, a balance between the economic benefits of consolidation and the need to protect a diverse media marketplace is essential for ensuring freedom of the press.

Eight Values of Free Expression

Free expression was a right granted to us in the Constitution by our Founding Fathers. I believe it is important for every American to exercise their right of free expression. Free expression supports personal autonomy and identity by allowing individuals to live according to their beliefs and values. In a democracy, it enables open debate, ensures an informed public, holds leaders accountable, promotes transparency, and empowers social change. The 8 values of Free expression are: Marketplace of ideas, participation in self government, stable change, self-fulfillment, check on governmental power, promote tolerance, promote innovation, and protect dissent. Self-fulfillment and check on governmental power are the 2 values that resonate with me the most. I believe these values are the most important to Americans when exercising their right to free expression. 

 

Self-Fulfillment 

Free speech allows Americans to peacefully express their feelings and opinions about any topic. In doing so, people develop their own identity and autonomy. When citizens express their opinions, they are providing the opportunity to educate those around them. We learn on a daily basis from those around us and this would not be possible without having the right to free speech. Speech has also been seen as the beginning of thought. Rodney Smolla states, "The fulfillment that comes from speech is bonded to man’s capacity to think, imagine, and create." Freedom starts with the right to think, and when speak we are expressing the right to have our own thoughts. Therefore, speech is protected by the government because speech is the beginning of thought.  Through one's expression of their personal identity, it is expected that individual will see vast improvement in their ability to function cognitively as well as growth within their behavioral comprehension.

 

Check on Governmental Power 

The Founding Fathers established the constitution with the checks and balances system built into the law. Each branch of government has the power to check the other branches to ensure they are upholding the law of the Constitution. Free speech also serves as an avenue to critique the government. It is our responsibility to ensure the government is representing and implementing what the American people want. Because the government gets it's power form the American people, we should exercise our right to critique the government of their choices that effect us. Freedom of the press has played an immense role in providing the American people with information on government officials. The Watergate Scandal proved to Americans that the government could not be trusted. Without the ability of free speech, the information about President Nixon's abuse of power would have never spread to Americans. Unfortunately, not every government official has the interest of the American people at the forefront of their agenda. It is our responsibility to hold those in position of power accountable for their actions against the American people.

Overall, freedom of expression is an important right the American people have. Expressing our personal opinions and values allows us to mature and personally develop while educating those around us. Freedom of speech allows for information to be spread about the government, which is crucial to critiquing government decisions. We all should express our right that was granted by the Founding Fathers to ensure the government didn't obtain excessive power over Americans. I have enjoyed learning about the different values of free expression and learning the importance of free speech. Free speech is the foundation of our rights and I believe it is important to be educated on how we can best exercise that right. 

The Supreme Court

Before watching this video, I knew almost nothing about the Supreme Court. This assignment provided me the opportunity to be more learn more about our government to become an educated citizen. 

Things I Learned 

Something I found interesting to learn about was how the Justices obtain their role. I knew they were appointed by the President, but I did not know they had to be approved by the senate. I believe having the nominated person be approved before taking on the responsibility and role of a Justice is an excellent way of upholding the Checks and Balances system in our government. I was surprisingly shocked at how many cases are proposed to the Supreme Court each year. I had previously thought the only cases brought to the Court were cases surrounding the Federal government. I didn't realize until now that they are proposed with cases from lower courts and they decide which cases they choose to grant certiorari.  

Important Takeaways 

One important aspect of the Supreme Court I learned about was it is their job to uphold the constitution to everybody. I had always thought the Supreme Court's only purpose was to hold the other branches of government accountable under the law. I now know they hold everybody accountable under their law, but it is also their job to interpret the law. I severely underestimated the workload the Justice's had. They are approached with thousands of cases in a year, have to choose which ones to accept, go through the process of appealing a case, and collectively reach a verdict. It is important to note how challenging it can be to interpret a over 200 year old document and apply into today's cases. 

My View on the Supreme Court

After watching the video I now have a new respect for the Supreme Court Justice's. I never fully understood their role as a branch of government or how they were supposed to uphold the constitution. Now that I have learned more about the Supreme Court I fully understand their position of power and how much work it entails to hold everyone accountable under the constitution. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the process of becoming a Justice, the workload of the Justice's, and how they impact every American.