CST 373 Week 8 Scrapbook

Artificial Intelligence Microchips Will Turn Humans Into Zombies, Says Prominent Neuroscientist

Link: https://www.inquisitr.com/4685012/artificial-intelligence-microchips-will-turn-humans-into-zombies-says-prominent-neuroscientist/

PDF: https://drive.google.com/a/csumb.edu/file/d/1ACOn1BcX836_YghqOvIojnK__sT4EAMR/view?usp=sharing

Article Summary:

This article details a warning by Mikhail Lebedev, a senior neuroscientist at Duke University, that brain implantation technology could cause humans to become zombie like as a result. The doctor argues that humans may become more like machines with such implants leaving their humanity behind. The article then goes on to cover how Elon Musk of Tesla has created a new company called Neuralink. Neuralink's goal is to provide brain implants that can help humans think clearer and remember more in order to keep up with the expanding world of artificial intelligence. As of the time of writing in the article, Neuralink has not done any type of implantation into a human brain.

Why it was Chosen:

I chose this article because, I feel that Elon Musk may be right in his assessment that if artificial intelligence is not limited it could mean the end of human civilization. This is a scary thought. It seems as though Mr. Musk is an ardent believer in such a scenario as he is actively looking to make the human mind as resourceful as a computer may be. Ever since I was a child, I have been interested in the concept of artificial intelligence. 

Ethical Implications:

There are ethical implications on both sides of the coin on this. For one, Dr. Mikhail Lebedev argues that brain implantation will make humans more like humans and less like machines. He argues that such technological innovations could in effect lead to humans to act like machines. On the flip side of the coin, Mr. Musk argues that we need to take such steps of augmenting our own brain in order to keep up with the rise in artificial intelligence; otherwise, humans may become obsolete.

Credibility of Source:

Inquisitr is an online news publication that has been around since 2008. It is a smaller publication as it is not stemmed from a major news network or station. Inquisitr does not employ a staff of journalists but instead opts to accept contributions from journalist who may work as contractors. This is a different model than all of the major new sources. Even though contributors are not employees of Inquisitr, they still go through a vetting process by Inquisitr. This is done to ensure timely, quality, and accurate news.

CST 373 Week 7 Scrapbook

CST Week 7 Scrapbook

The Ethics of Algorithms, or Why Coders Need an Ethics Code

Link: https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3725995,00.html
PDF: https://drive.google.com/a/csumb.edu/file/d/1mbemNfP8k9QW1Mz_rM4ClWYw1-903vTE/view?usp=sharing

Additional reading regarding China's new credit system: http://www.wired.co.uk/article/chinese-government-social-credit-score-privacy-invasion

Article Summary:

This article argues that boundaries in ethics must be established to limit the amount of big data that algorithms are allowed to collect. The article explains how we are subjected to many algorithms a day in order for organizations to learn more about us. It goes on to say,

"Today we already understand that we are being cataloged, analyzed, ranked, grouped and graded not just by the servers of those who would sell us something. Security and law enforcement agencies invade our lives unhindered in order to decide whether we pose a threat; politicians study us for the next election; banks determine how likely we are to return our loans; insurance companies rate our health and our life expectancy."

 It then goes on to say that China is piloting a new Social Credit System that incorporates many aspects of data about a person, ie. what they buy, where they live, and who are their friends, in order to determine that individual's credit score. The author argues that we must limit the amount of big data that is collected by organizations in order to avoid a path where everything we do is scrutinized and ranked by other entities particularly government as is seen in China. I have included a link detailing China's new credit system.

Why it was Chosen:

This article was chosen because, I feel that we as developers are at a point where we can stop the growing trend in big data collection. I personally do not want to live in a world where my every action is examined and scrutinized. I believe we all have a right to personal privacy and the trend is that more and more big companies and governments are beginning to learn about all aspects of those who use their product or are within their jurisdiction.

Ethical Implications:

Although the corporations make the decisions to create such algorithms, developers hold the power to embrace an ideal and refuse to work towards a potential world where people's privacy becomes non-existent. I believe knowledge is power and the more knowledge a government or organization has over the people under it, the more control it has over them.What China is incorporating in their new credit system is scary. By incorporating behaviors into their credit system, they can more easily mold a society to think and act how they want them to act. The majority of people would want their "score" to be as high as possible and thus force a trend in personal spending or actions in the way the government wants them to spend. As mentioned above, the ethical implication of exploitation of personal privacy come into play.

Credibility of Source:

CTech is a fairly new technology news site established just in the year 2017. Being a new organization more research into the validity of China's new big data credit system was done. It was discovered through wired.uk.co that this is in fact true. Wired is a reputable tech magazine that has been around since 1993.

CST 373 Week 6 Scrapbook

CST 373 Week 6 Scrapbook

There are 170,000 fewer retail jobs in 2017—and 75,000 more Amazon robots

Link: https://qz.com/1107112/there-are-170000-fewer-retail-jobs-in-2017-and-75000-more-amazon-robots/

PDF: https://drive.google.com/a/csumb.edu/file/d/188wK7VJZUnCa-kxt8DvIWN-x3bvMztTT/view?usp=sharing

Article Summary

The article discusses how there may be a correlation between Amazon's success in automation and decline in retail jobs. The article gives an estimate that Amazon's workforce will increase in size by 75,000 units in 2017. In the same year it is estimated that Amazon will add 146,000 employees to its workforce but the overall workforce in the retail industry will still decrease by 24,000. It is argued that Amazon's growth is and reliance on robotics is a contributing factor to the loss of retail jobs. The article then goes on to say that although Amazon only represents 3% of overall US retail sales it is accounting for 20% of the US retail industry growth in 2017. It is interesting to see that one company can account for 1/5 of the growth in an industry. 

Why it was Chosen

I chose this article because, I think that automation effects us as an economy for better or worse and it is necessary to keep a keen eye on how it is shaping the economy. This is precisely the reason why I have decided to get a second degree in Computer Science. I feel that technology will be at the forefront of US industry for the decades ahead and if you are not a part of that industry you may be left behind struggling for a job. 

Ethical Implications

The ethical implication is that the increase in automation that all industries are seeing may have a negative impact on the unemployment ratio in America. The statistics here show that although a causation can not be proven, there is a correlation in increase in automation and job loss in the retail industry. I feel that this extends to all industries. With a higher unemployment rate comes a higher poverty rate. I feel that this is something that will have to be watched with a keen eye amongst our business and political leaders in America. Employers will have to look at filling the void of job loss as a result of technological innovation. If not we may face a growing poverty level from people who may be forced out of jobs.

Credibility of the Source

Quartz is a digital news outlet that has been around since 2012. The company is based in New York but has staffed reporters throughout the world. The company strives to embrace technology as it's way to inform the public. Quartz is owned by Atlantic Media Inc., the publisher of The Atlantic.