Connection Topics
Overview
Connection topics is an umbrella term that refers to a set of activities, which will allow us to cover one of the big ideas of the course, interdependence, the idea that computational technology should be in service of human flourishing.
Over the course of the semester, we will delve into relevant articles and videos that contextualize technology in society. How will artifical intelligence affect our upcoming election? Who is excluded and included in the development of cutting edge software? How does technology propel certain communities while further marginalizing others? We want to discuss these questions together, so that you are well-informed about the field you are beginning to study and contribute to.
The activities in a connection topic include:
- Read an article (or watch a video) for the day an article is posted (see list below)
- Participate in the class pop quiz on lecture (using plickers)
Note: Many articles in this list are from New York Times. Wellesley community has access to NYT through our library subscription. Sign up before trying to read the articles.
-
01/26/2024, ‘A.I. Obama’ and Fake Newscasters: How A.I. Audio Is Swarming TikTok (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/technology/tiktok-ai-generated-voices-disinformation.html?searchResultPosition=1). Published on Oct 12, 2023.
- 02/09/2024, ‘Your Product Is Killing People’: Tech Leaders Denounced Over Child Safety (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/31/technology/senate-child-safety-social-media.html). Published on Jan 31, 2024.