Category: Class Notes

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The shift between being the tutor to being the tutee resembles the relationship between humans and non-humans. In the Cyberpunk genre, the boundary between humans and non-humans has gradually blended over time. This blend demonstrates the advancement of technology and this genre as a whole. 

As humans are the tutors and non-humans are the tutees, there comes a time when the tutee becomes the tutor. Since humans are the creators and teachers of non-humans, they equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive in the world. Non-humans absorb everything they are taught, but isn’t it natural to learn new things in everyday experiences? Yes, and that is where the blend begins, as non-humans begin to adapt to a humanist world, they begin to resemble humans. Here in this article, https://incyber.org/en/article/ex-machina-a-film-that-explores-the-intimate-relationships-between-humans-and-machines and-much-more/ the relationship between humans and non-humans are explored deeper. 

https://incyber.org/en/article/ex-machina-a-film-that-explores-the-intimate-relationships-between-humans-and-machinesand-much-more

In this genre, non-humans are used to serve as a different version of humans, a more knowledgeable and equipped being made to help humans where they lack. In this case, the more help humans need, the more likely non-humans are going to resemble humans. This need for help from non-humans and the ability for them to interact with humans naturally is discussed more in detail in the following article, https://medium.com/@demzou.art/robots-why-do-we-need-To-make-them-look-like-us-research-theory-cce4913da44d. Going back to the analogy of the tutor and the tutee, one day the tutee does become the tutor, and in this case it is good, but when it is humans and non-humans, that can be scary. There have been many books, shows, and films that demonstrate the fear of non-humans taking over humans. As technology is advancing all over the world, it is a common fear to have, as more and more machines we use everyday are becoming more and more human-like. For example, there are cars that drive themself, programs that can have normal human conversations, and robotic vacuums that will clean the entire house. As these machines continue to advance and become human-like, humans begin to depend on them more and lose their human skills and knowledge; and that is where the tutee becomes the tutor.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/human-machine-collaboration-future-work-logical-design-solutions

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One boundary that has shifted greatly is the boundaries of culture. As the use of social media continues to grow worldwide, we see a change in the influence of all of those who use it. In the advent of platforms such as Twitter, Instagram (reels), and TikTok, individuals are able to share and connect with people across the world within seconds. These connections allow for individuals to view the norms and traditions of others with the tap of a finger. Recipes are shared, fashion is influenced, and even languages are changed. Through the access of social media, you are able to find people across the world using languages that originated from others. For example, the term “gyat” being used by individuals of all races across the globe though it was a term that originated in the African American community. We see brands like Uniqlo which originated in japan grow and become more popular in other countries through advertisements on social media. This intercultural exchange is so seamless that many people do not even recognize it. In particular, this makes me think of recent events in which Twitter was banned in the country of Brazil. Many twitter users were surprised by how many accounts were run by Brazilian users without them even recognizing it until these users revealed that their accounts would no longer be active. With the exposure to users from so many different cultures, individuals no longer have to travel far to experience and be influenced by cultures that are not their own. Individuals are learning more about the culture of others and able to absorb this knowledge to use in their own daily lives. As cultures continue to spread through use of social media, it can only be presumed that one day in the far future, the cultures that once divided us as people from specific parts of the world will become far less distinguishable.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/world/americas/brazil-elon-musk-x-blocked.html

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Within in the past five years a boundary that has continued to blur is the boundary between human and non-human relationships has significantly blurred, particularly the rise of AI as a companionship. Traditionally, relationships were exclusive to humans interacting but with the recent advancement in AI technology, that distinction is dissolving rapidly. AI entities, once seen strictly as a resource, is now designed to stimulate meaningful human connections. Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, Google, and Chatbots like ChatGPT, are becoming more advanced and sophisticated, engaging users as an AI friend. These AI’s are capable to provide emotional support, advice, and companionship. Some users have even reported preferring the AI over human connections which shows how AI is starting to be integrated into personal lives. This shift was accelerated over the Pandemic when we were isolated for long periods at a time. Advances in natural language processing and machine learning have made these AI companions more capable of simulating empathy, understanding context, and fostering deeper connections. ALongside these technological advancements comes with societal acceptance of these tech-based relationships. As AI continues to evolve the boundary between human and non-human interaction is becoming increasingly fluid, offering new possibilities for companionship but also raising ethical questions about the future of human connection and what is means to form genuine relationships in a digital age.

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One shifting boundary that has become prevalent in our society is human vs nonhumans more specifically the use of AI. AI is also known as Artificial Intelligence, the use of AI has helped facilitate business and simple life practices by simplifying complex problems and allowing for a more easier way to resolve issues. One specific form of AI that I have seen most recently is ChatGPT. Thanks to Covid school was moved online which made students lazy and unmotivated to try and interact with their courses which resulted in them using ChatGPT. ChatGPT was the perfect example of how AI made life simple. You would type your question in the chat box and wallah you were given a productive response that sounded scholarly. It also took about fifteen seconds or less to formulate a response. However, because this use of ChatGPT was through the roof it shifted professors’ perspective of their students in the classroom. ChatGPT has caused teachers to use more secure and rigorous ways to detect AI, because their students don’t want to learn anymore, leading them to change their lesson plans so they can avoid cheating and plagiarism. Therefore, while AI has managed to make our lives easier, it has made students lack a creative response and drive to solve problems or write essays in their distinct way. Moreover, another example of AI I have seen is automation in grocery stores. When I go to the grocery store I see fewer humans to help me check out and more self-checkout machines. There comes to a point where yes, this machine is helping make these companies more money. However, it becomes more prominent every day that these machines are taking away simple jobs that help people in our society stay afloat. To conclude we have made these different forms of technology to solve our problems and reduce any further confusion while making big corporations rich. However, these advancements also come with a cost which is putting most individuals without a job and making us less creative when it comes to expressing ourselves. 

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What has changed is the music industry. The shifting boundary started in the late 20th century, more or so recently. I’ve learned about AI’s influence through TikTok, where AI-generated music is becoming increasingly common, how it can produce music and much more. For example, when artists can’t think of how to start music or content for their music, there is an app or tool called BandLab that is AI-generated to help with songs. It creates possibilities for artists to experiment with new sounds and styles without needing as much technical knowledge. In addition, it provides inspiration to artists to start a new project, offering a foundation upon which they can build. AI can now produce originals, break compositions for remixing, and even help tailor playlists to match specific moods or vibes. It enhances the listening experience by introducing songs that align with individual tastes and emotional states, making music discovery more engaging and efficient. My thoughts on AI with music can be a little weird because recently, there was a situation between two artists, and everyone thought the artist made a new song when AI used the artist’s voice to create a new song which freaked me out a little. I say that because it blurs the line between authentic and artificial music. The ability to replicate voices through the lines between real and AI-generated content raises concerns about copyrights and the rights of artists. Despite these concerns, I can see how AI could be valuable for musicians and creators. While I’m not an artist or songwriter myself, AI’s involvement could help streamline the creative process and make music production more accessible for many. As years go on moving forward will be finding a balance between embracing AI’s innovative potential and protecting the integrity and rights of artists in the process.

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The boundary between human and non-human entities has significantly blurred in the past five years, particularly due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. AI’s capabilities have expanded beyond simple tasks to those requiring more sophisticated, human-like decision-making and interaction. According to NDTV, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes it possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs, and perform human-like tasks.” This progression has transformed AI from a behind-the-scenes technology into an active participant in human culture, creativity, and social media.

Furthermore, AI has moved from the realm of speculative fiction to a commonplace technology impacting various industries. As noted by Forbes, “AI has become a conversation topic at the dinner table, an emerging technology as inspiring as it is frightening, and created a very real question: What now?” This highlights how AI has evolved from a futuristic concept to a present reality, influencing sectors from marketing to healthcare (Foodman, 2024). Today, chatbots enhanced by generative AI are becoming so reliable and human-like that it is challenging to differentiate them from real humans, a clear sign of the collapsing boundaries between human and machine intelligence (Foodman, 2024).

The boundary shift is most evident in AI’s integration into everyday social and cultural environments. Virtual influencers collaborate with real-world brands, celebrities, and audiences, influencing trends and opinions. AI’s evolution now allows it to “converse with users and offer solutions to their problems,” as highlighted by NDTV, further demonstrating its deepening role in human society. Advances in AI are enabling researchers to sift through enormous amounts of data to understand everything from galaxies to developing vaccines, which were critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. These advancements, as described by Forbes, illustrate the immense impact of AI in the modern world.

The drivers behind this shift are both technological and cultural. Technologically, advancements in AI have led to more sophisticated machine learning models that can process vast amounts of data and recognize complex patterns, making them more adaptable and capable of learning in human-like ways. Significant investments from tech giants and growing public interest have spurred this rapid development. As NDTV notes, AI “can be used to develop new drugs, optimize global supply chains, and create exciting new art,” which illustrates its expanding capabilities across various sectors. Cultural openness to AI’s integration has also grown, particularly among younger generations who are more accepting of digital and virtual experiences.

However, the integration of AI into human environments does come with risks. AI technologies “have at times resulted in what scientists call ‘hallucination,’ which means the AI created entirely different information than the correct factual information,” as Forbes explains. This unpredictability, combined with the possibility of AI generating misleading or incorrect data, raises concerns about the ethical and practical implications of AI in decision-making roles (Foodman, 2024). Furthermore, the increasing use of AI “raises concerns about heightened job loss, widespread disinformation, and loss of privacy,” as NDTV points out, suggesting that the benefits of AI should be carefully balanced with its potential dangers.

The collapsing boundary between human and non-human due to AI advancements presents both opportunities and challenges. As AI grows more sophisticated, we must navigate the ethical, social, and practical implications of sharing our world with intelligent machines. The convergence of AI with other technologies like quantum computing could further blur these boundaries, fundamentally changing how we interact with computers and machines, necessitating a thorough understanding and cautious approach to ensure AI is used positively and predictably (Foodman, 2024).

Works Cited

Foodman, J. (2024, August 13). Council post: Artificial Intelligence is changing the world and your business. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/07/24/artificial-intelligence-is-changing-the-world-and-your-business/

Sukheja, B. (2024, June 1). What is AI, why it matters, and how it’s changing the world? everything to know. NDTV.com. https://www.ndtv.com/feature/what-is-ai-why-it-matters-and-how-its-changing-the-world-everything-to-know-5794869 

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One specific example of an established boundary that has begun to shift is the distinction between genders. This is a boundary that most of my elders did not expect to change, but gender labels have become ambiguous and a very sensitive topic. The once established boundary between men and women identifying as cisgender, has gained many more labels including transgender, agender, and nonbinary. 

Although the gender identity boundary has shifted way further back than 5 years ago, being only in my early 20s, I hadn’t become familiar with this shift up until the last 5 years or so. People are openly expressing new gender identities that are much more fluid and inclusive, as opposed to the binary man and woman genders.

As far as what prompted this change, I believe that it can be accredited to the progressiveness of generation Z and the Millennials. Older generations are accustomed to more traditional states of mind and find it harder to adjust to new ways of living. This change has also come about through more media representation, legal advancements, and advocacy of members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The fluidity of gender has been demonstrated on television, in literature, and in art. This has normalized the broad definition of gender. Legal advancements have supported the shift of gender identity, giving different gender identities the opportunity to be represented under labels under the standard male or female. Lastly, activism has contributed to the shift of gender identity gaining otherwise unattainable visibility to those who identify other than male or female. 

In conclusion, the distinction between genders is an established boundary that has shifted. The differentiations have expanded further than male and female. This shift is owed to the progressive newer generations with their media influence, legal advancements, and their advocacy. With these contributions to the shift, I would not be surprised if shifting any further.