📄️ 2.1 Change
The rapid pace of technological innovation and the proliferation of digital systems have brought about unprecedented change in society. From the way we communicate and interact with each other to the way we work, learn, and conduct business, digital technologies have transformed nearly every aspect of our lives. The study of change in the digital age is a complex and multidisciplinary endeavour, drawing on insights from fields such as history, science and technology studies (STS), and future studies. For example, historians have explored how past technological revolutions, such as the Industrial Revolution and the Information Age, have shaped society and culture, while STS scholars have examined the social, political, and ethical implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.
📄️ 2.2 Expression
The proliferation of digital creative tools and platforms has transformed the landscape of artistic expression. Digital art, music, and literature have emerged as new forms of creative expression that leverage the unique affordances of digital media, such as interactivity, generativity, and remixing. For example, the rise of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) has enabled digital artists to create and sell unique digital artworks, while also raising questions about the value, ownership, and authenticity of digital art. The expression of identity, culture, and politics through digital art and media has also become a powerful force for social change and activism, as seen in the use of digital art and hashtags in the #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements.
📄️ 2.3 Identity
The phenomenon of social media influencers and online personal branding illustrates the complex dynamics of identity in digital society. Influencers curate and perform idealized versions of themselves on social media platforms, often blurring the lines between authenticity and self-promotion. The rise of influencer culture has also given rise to new forms of social comparison, self-esteem issues, and commodification of identity. At the same time, social media has enabled marginalized and underrepresented groups to assert their identities and build communities of support and solidarity. The example of influencers highlights the ways in which digital technologies shape the construction, expression, and negotiation of personal and collective identities in the digital age.
📄️ 2.4 Power
The dominance of tech giants like Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple (GAFA) exemplifies the concentration of power in the digital economy. These companies have amassed vast amounts of data, wealth, and influence through their control of key digital platforms and infrastructures, such as search engines, e-commerce marketplaces, social networks, and mobile operating systems. The power of GAFA has raised concerns about monopolistic practices, data privacy, and the erosion of democratic institutions. At the same time, the rise of decentralized technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies has offered alternative visions of power distribution and governance in the digital world. The example of GAFA illustrates the complex interplay of corporate, governmental, and grassroots power in shaping the digital landscape.
📄️ 2.5 Space
The rise of remote work and virtual collaboration tools during the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the nature of work and the boundaries between physical and digital spaces. Platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack have enabled people to work, learn, and socialize from anywhere with an internet connection, blurring the lines between home and office, public and private, local and global. The shift to remote work has also highlighted issues of digital inequality, as access to reliable internet and suitable work environments remains uneven across different communities and regions. The example of remote work shows how digital technologies are reshaping the geography of human activity and interaction, creating new opportunities and challenges for individuals, organizations, and societies.
📄️ 2.6 Systems
Consider a ride-sharing platform like Uber as a digital system. It involves interacting elements such as users (riders and drivers), mobile devices, mapping technologies, payment systems, and algorithms for matching supply and demand. The platform is interdependent with broader transportation infrastructures, labor markets, and regulatory frameworks. The introduction of dynamic pricing algorithms on the platform had both intended consequences (improved service availability and efficiency) and unintended consequences (increased consumer costs and driver stress). Data visualizations of ride patterns and user feedback can help reveal insights and opportunities for improving the system's design and governance.
📄️ 2.7 Values & Ethics
The development of facial recognition technologies raises significant ethical questions and challenges. Designers of these technologies must grapple with issues of privacy, consent, fairness, and accountability. Different ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism (maximizing overall benefit) or deontology (respecting individual rights), may lead to conflicting recommendations for the design and deployment of facial recognition systems. Professional codes of ethics, such as the ACM Code of Ethics, provide guidance for designers to consider the potential harms and risks of their technologies, and to prioritize the well-being and rights of users and society. Laws and regulations, such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), establish legal requirements and safeguards for the collection, use, and protection of biometric data. Ultimately, the ethical design of facial recognition technologies requires ongoing dialogue, scrutiny, and governance to ensure that they align with societal values and promote human flourishing.