Invasion of the AI Body Snatchers

Jenna L.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Robots sit next to a confused human as they prepare for work.

In more recent years, we’ve seen an increase in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Usage ranging from mundane tasks like organizing a shopping list to extraordinary things like being used in healthcare systems and helping with medical diagnosis. Although the use of technology can bring great change, it does create a cause of concern for many individuals. Many are worried about their invasion of privacy, that the common job will soon be replaced with AI or maybe even the world as we know it! 

As someone who is still quite skeptical of AI, it does worry me that most private platforms use AI or incorporate it in some kind of way. I’m not exactly sure what prompted this AI surge as it integrated with other forms of media, but if I’m being honest, I’m not a big fan. For example, AI has integrated itself into personal social media platforms or workspaces such as Google, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. I believe the shifting boundary began as AI was able to gain personal knowledge and invade privacy in a way that’s so scary it often blurs the lines between what’s humanly done and what’s not. Recently, I’ve seen a rise in “AI covers” where songs use AI to replace the original singer’s voice with a model that sounds like another artist. In some cases it can be quite funny, however, in many instances it can be terrifying especially with the accuracy of the newly generated voice. To add on to this, I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen Deep Fake videos. Deep Fakes are AI crafted media where one person’s face is constructed onto another person’s body, they’re highly convincing yet entirely synthetic videos. AI-generated fake videos are becoming more common (and convincing). Here’s why we should be worried written by Ian Sample, delves into the concept of Deep Fakes, its problem and how they can be spotted. It’s important to note that many AI Deep fakes are used for scams to deceive individuals.  

Combine Deep Fakes, AI voice generating programs and chatGPT with video synthesis and in about another year or so, you could be videoing, chatting, and working with a fully AI generated person and not even know it! This AI “person” could get hired at the same company that you do and potentially work there for years without being detected. And before you know it the AI “person” has gained the skills and knowledge to move up the corporate ladder, become the boss, then the CEO, take over the company, hire more robots, fire all humans, declare war and cause the end for all mankind!! Ok, enough of the freaky horror movie talk, I try not to be too paranoid, but it really does make me wonder how much AI will seriously affect us in the near future. 

Redefining the Game

Luci S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In the last few years, the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has started to shift how soccer is played and viewed. VAR helps referees make better decisions by reviewing video footage during games, which has changed some long standing rules and practices in the sport and especially in soccer.

The technological change in soccer

Back in the days, referees had the final say on the field, the decisions they made were the final decisions with no possibility of review during the game. Nowadays, with VAR, decisions on goals, penalties, and red cards can be checked and corrected if necessary. This means that what happens on the field can be reviewed by referees watching video from a different location. The use of VAR also affects how fans experience the game, as they often have to wait for video reviews during key moments, which disrupt the flow of the game.

The idea of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) first came about in 2010 with the Refereeing 2.0 project from The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB). This project aimed to use technology to help referees make better and more accurate decisions during soccer games. The first official use of the VAR in soccer was the Ajax Amsterdam cup game in September 2016. Soccer is a fast-paced game, and referees can sometimes make mistakes in the heat of the situation. VAR uses video to review key decisions, helping to make the game fairer and more transparent. However, VAR has also sparked controversy because it can slow the game down and disrupt its flow, with some arguing that this diminishes the excitement of soccer. The VAR reflects our growing use of technology in everyday life and the demand from fans for more accurate and clear decisions in sports.

VAR is changing soccer by offering new methods for reviewing and correcting decisions, affecting how the game is played and how fans experience it. Although it aims to make the game fairer, it also introduces challenges, like stopping the game for reviews. While fans are frustrated by bad calls from referees, they often dislike the video assistant referee (VAR) even more. As technology advances, it’s important to strike a balance between enhancing accuracy and maintaining the smooth flow of the game.

Reproductive Boundaries

Mya J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

One established boundary that has notably shifted in the past five years is the right to bodily autonomy, particularly in the context of reproductive rights. This boundary was originally solidified in 1973 with the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which granted women the constitutional right to access abortion under the 14th Amendment. This ruling set a significant precedent, ensuring that women across the United States had the legal right to make decisions about their reproductive health without excessive government interference. In the past five years another court case had dramatically shifted that boundary. Particularly with the Dobbs v Jackson 2022 decision to regulate abortion to individual states. Many states have since then implemented restrictive laws about abortion.  

This decision marked a significant shift in the legal landscape, undoing nearly 50 years of precedent. On a state legislature level, some states have implemented “trigger laws” that immediately banned abortion upon the overturning of Roe. This shift has led to significant changes in healthcare access, with some women having to travel out of state to access abortion services, or facing the prospect of unsafe, illegal procedures, or possible jail time. Socially the shift has influenced the broader cultural discourse around women’s rights, bodily autonomy, and the role of government in personal decisions.  

The Dobbs decision has ignited debates and activism on both sides of the issue, highlighting the contentious nature of abortion rights in the United States. One of the main things that I believe prompted this change is the long-term conservative political strategy, especially in the supreme court.  With abortion rights becoming a key issue dividing liberals and conservatives. The political landscape has enabled more extreme positions to gain traction, influence policy, and votes. Another reason this change occurred could be because of religious influences, with many religious groups advocating for more restrictive abortion laws based on their moral and ethical beliefs. A significant boundary shifted majorly in just under 50 years’ time and in this political climate more boundaries may shift as well.  

Gunners in the Pursuit of Happiness

Jennifer V.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Gunner: for lack of better terms is a subgroup of students who are excessively driven in their pursuit of success that they disregard team work, over flaunt their achievements, and hoard opportunities from their peers. No one likes a gunner, but are they really to blame? Are their actions not just a direct response to the overly stimulated and competitive nature of out society? I think it starts with how success and happiness have molded into one entity instead of two different spheres of life.

In recent years, society dropped the idea that success and a happy, healthy life style are distinct aspirations that we should be striving for. Instead of leaving work at the office to spend time with family, the creation of technology has begun to to breakdown that barrier. The average cellphone is so crucial in the shift of work life balances because emails and work calls can now transcend the boundary of the office and invade the privacy of own’s home. In cooperation with technology, social media participates in pushing hustle culture forward by placing stigmas on people do not aspire to live the life of extreme stress and reward. Individuals are allowed to paint certain personas and images on the internet, where only their achievements and successes are shown. Of course, the responsibility of a social media user is to understand that a snippet of one’s life is not their entire story, but when everyone around you shows only success without failure in their life then people begin to feel pressured to achieve the same. As access to technology evolves, so too does academic performance. What was once considered genius is now the norm simply because we are able to use innovations to our advantage. Now we live in a world where great students are below expectation, and exceptional students are just ordinary; therefore, we created the perfect breeding ground for students/workers who believe they must prove their own self worth to a society that deems them worthless. At this point, is happiness even attainable if you are not the first in every aspect of your life? If happiness is an indicator of self worth and society is saying we are worth less, then societal recognitions is the key to happiness, which is also key to success, which is… on and on again.

Our society run on commodity, and it just so happens that our happiness and success are on the market too. Maybe if you work hard your whole life you will get a sale on the price of happiness. Happiness, an aspect that was once seen for its quality and experience, has now been quantified. I said before that I dislike gunners for their inability to cooperate and treasure the meaning to true camaraderie/team work, but I also feel like they are just trying to survive in a cut throat environment. Sad to say, but we live in a world where preying on other’s success will eventually bring you to the happiness we are taught to believe in. A type of happiness that’s not found in a lazy Sunday with your family, but a happiness that fuels the government that will not thank you for your sacrifices.

The ChatGPT Takeover

Sydney V.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Kirby’s Foundation image depicting the potential roles AI will have in our lives in the future. https://thefusioneer.com/blog/the-future-of-ai-5-ai-advancements-to-expect-in-the-next-10-years/

Five years ago, if you had asked students what online resources they use to assist them with their classwork, many students including myself would have said Wikipedia or a similar website. In today’s day and age, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) resources, such as ChatGPT and Meta’s AI tool on Instagram, has surpassed the use of Wikipedia by students when they need quick information. In the past five years, the role of AI has shifted from experimental technology to one used daily by many people. At its inception, it was used by many people in advanced science fields or technology industries. The AI that was previously used had a narrow scope and could allow me to answer specific questions or provide specific information. Now, AI is easily accessible to anybody who has a cell phone. AI can also handle more complex tasks which allows them to be used in a variety of industries. 

I believe this shift in the use of AI can be attributed to increasing technological advancements and a larger need for more answers to societal problems. The advancements in computer and phone technology over the past five years have allowed more AI models to be released faster and more accessible. These technological advancements have also allowed the AI systems to handle more complex tasks which makes them more useful for both people in industry and everyday use. Since we live in a fast-paced world, the need for AI systems that increase efficiency and productivity has increased. It helps industries efficiently complete repetitive tasks at a lower risk of error. AI is also beneficial for some personalized tasks as it can provide specific information based on what is inputted into the system. It is important to be aware of our increasing reliance on technology, specifically AI because it relates to the transhumanism and posthumanism discussion. Are we allowing AI to help us enhance ourselves as humans or are we viewing this new form of technology as potentially being able to get to the same level as us?