15.1 Emerging technologies and their impact on representation
3 min read•august 8, 2024
Emerging technologies are reshaping how we see and interact with media. , AI, and are changing the game, offering new ways to represent ourselves and others in digital spaces.
These advancements bring exciting possibilities but also raise concerns. From to , we're grappling with the impact of tech on representation, identity, and truth in our increasingly connected world.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Immersive Technologies
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- Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in a completely digital environment, replacing the real world with a simulated one (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive)
- (AR) overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing the user's perception of reality (Pokémon Go, Google Glass)
- is a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual space (Second Life, Fortnite)
- are graphical representations of users in virtual environments, allowing them to interact with others and the digital world (Bitmoji, Xbox Live Avatars)
Advancements in VR/AR Hardware
- includes devices worn on the body that interact with the user and other devices (smartwatches, fitness trackers)
- have become more affordable and accessible, with improved resolution and refresh rates for a more realistic experience (Oculus Quest, PlayStation VR)
- are becoming more compact and lightweight, with advancements in display technology and computer vision (Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap)
- provide tactile sensations to enhance immersion in virtual environments (gloves, vests)
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and Machine Learning Applications
- (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence (natural language processing, decision making)
- is a subset of AI that enables systems to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed (image recognition, spam filtering)
- use AI and natural language processing to understand and respond to user queries (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant)
- uses AI algorithms to identify individuals based on their facial features (security systems, social media tagging)
AI-Generated Content and Deepfakes
- Deepfakes are synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness, generated using AI (face swapping, voice cloning)
- includes text, images, and videos created by machine learning algorithms (GPT-3, DALL-E, Midjourney)
- Concerns arise regarding the potential misuse of deepfakes for disinformation, fraud, and harassment
- Advancements in AI are enabling more realistic and convincing deepfakes, making them harder to detect
Internet and Social Media
Personalization and Algorithms
- Social media algorithms analyze user data and behavior to curate personalized content feeds (Facebook News Feed, TikTok For You page)
- Personalized content aims to deliver relevant information and recommendations based on user preferences and interests (Netflix recommendations, Spotify playlists)
- Concerns arise regarding the creation of "filter bubbles" and "," where users are exposed primarily to content that aligns with their existing beliefs and opinions
- can perpetuate and amplify societal biases, leading to unequal representation and discrimination
Connectivity and Decentralization
- (IoT) refers to the interconnected network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity (smart homes, wearables)
- promises faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity for devices (remote surgery, autonomous vehicles)
- is a decentralized, distributed ledger technology that records transactions across a network of computers (Bitcoin, Ethereum)
- aim to distribute power and control among users, reducing reliance on central authorities (peer-to-peer networks, decentralized finance)
Key Terms to Review (23)
5G Technology: 5G technology is the fifth generation of mobile network technology, designed to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than its predecessors. It significantly enhances connectivity for various devices, facilitating the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and enabling new applications in fields like virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. The impact of 5G on representation can be profound, as it alters how media is consumed and produced, shaping narratives and experiences in more immersive ways.
Ai-generated content: AI-generated content refers to digital material created using artificial intelligence technologies, such as text, images, videos, or music. This type of content leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze data and produce outputs that mimic human creativity and expression. The emergence of AI-generated content is transforming various creative fields by altering traditional methods of content creation and raising questions about authorship, authenticity, and representation in media.
Algorithmic bias: Algorithmic bias refers to the systematic and unfair discrimination that can occur in computer algorithms due to flawed data or design choices. This bias often reflects and amplifies existing social inequalities, leading to the misrepresentation or marginalization of certain groups within digital spaces. It can significantly impact user experience, content visibility, and representation in various media forms, making it crucial to understand in today’s tech-driven society.
AR devices: AR devices, or augmented reality devices, are technologies that overlay digital information, such as images and sounds, onto the real world to enhance a user's perception and interaction with their environment. These devices, including smartphones, tablets, and specialized glasses, have revolutionized the way media is consumed and represented by blending the physical and digital realms. This intersection creates new opportunities for storytelling, interaction, and representation across various media formats.
Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. This technology can analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions, impacting various fields including communication, entertainment, and even the arts. As AI continues to advance, its influence on representation in media becomes increasingly significant, shaping how narratives are created and who gets to tell them.
Augmented reality: Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes computer-generated images, sounds, and other sensory enhancements onto the real-world environment, creating an interactive experience for users. This technology enhances how individuals perceive their surroundings, allowing them to interact with both digital and physical elements in real time. AR has significant implications for representation, as it can influence how different groups are portrayed and perceived in media and everyday life.
Blockchain: Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger technology that records transactions across multiple computers in such a way that the registered transactions cannot be altered retroactively. This technology is crucial for ensuring transparency and security in various applications, including cryptocurrencies and beyond, as it allows multiple parties to have access to the same data without needing a central authority.
Decentralized systems: Decentralized systems are networks or structures where authority, control, and decision-making are distributed rather than centralized in a single entity. This structure enables a more democratic and inclusive approach to governance and resource allocation, often resulting in increased diversity of representation, especially in the context of emerging technologies.
Deepfakes: Deepfakes are synthetic media where a person's likeness is replaced with someone else's using artificial intelligence techniques, making it appear as though the person is saying or doing something they did not actually do. This technology raises significant concerns regarding authenticity, misinformation, and ethical implications, especially in how representation can be manipulated and distorted in media.
Digital avatars: Digital avatars are virtual representations of individuals, often created through computer graphics or artificial intelligence, that can be used in various digital environments such as video games, social media, and virtual reality. These avatars serve as a means for users to express their identity, allowing for customization in appearance, personality, and behavior. As emerging technologies advance, the use of digital avatars is transforming how people engage with each other and represent themselves in online spaces.
Echo chambers: Echo chambers are environments where individuals are exposed primarily to information and opinions that reinforce their existing beliefs, often leading to a distortion of reality. In these settings, dissenting views are either minimized or completely absent, creating a bubble that can amplify biases and foster extreme viewpoints. This phenomenon is especially relevant in digital spaces, where algorithms curate content based on user preferences, thereby limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.
Facial recognition technology: Facial recognition technology is a biometric software application that uses algorithms to identify or verify a person’s identity by analyzing facial features from images or video. This technology plays a significant role in various sectors, including security, law enforcement, and marketing, impacting how individuals are represented and perceived in digital spaces.
Filter bubbles: Filter bubbles are the self-reinforcing information environments created by algorithms that personalize content for users based on their online behaviors, preferences, and interactions. This leads to individuals being exposed predominantly to information that aligns with their existing beliefs, limiting their exposure to diverse perspectives and reinforcing biases. This phenomenon can significantly impact social media dynamics, media consumption habits, and representation in digital spaces.
Haptic feedback systems: Haptic feedback systems are technology mechanisms that provide tactile sensations to users, allowing them to receive physical responses from digital interactions. This technology enhances user experience by simulating the sense of touch, often used in devices like smartphones, gaming controllers, and virtual reality systems. By bridging the gap between virtual actions and physical sensations, haptic feedback systems play a crucial role in making digital environments more immersive and engaging.
Internet of things: The internet of things (IoT) refers to the interconnection of everyday devices and objects to the internet, allowing them to send and receive data. This network of smart devices enhances communication and automation, transforming how people interact with technology in their daily lives. By enabling devices to collect and share information, IoT has the potential to significantly impact representation by changing the way individuals and communities are portrayed and engaged with in digital spaces.
Machine learning: Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that involves the use of algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from and make predictions or decisions based on data. This technology plays a crucial role in analyzing patterns, automating tasks, and enhancing systems, especially in the realm of digital media representation.
Metaverse: The metaverse is a collective virtual space created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual reality. It encompasses a vast network of 3D virtual worlds and augmented reality experiences where users can interact, socialize, and create. This digital environment significantly affects representation, as it shapes how identities are formed and perceived in a space that transcends physical boundaries.
Personalization: Personalization refers to the process of tailoring content and experiences to individual users based on their preferences, behaviors, and demographic information. This technique has become increasingly prevalent with the rise of digital platforms, allowing for more targeted and relevant media consumption. As emerging technologies advance, personalization significantly influences how diverse groups are represented in media, shaping narratives and visibility in ways that can enhance or diminish representation.
Social media algorithms: Social media algorithms are sets of rules and processes that platforms use to determine what content is shown to users based on various factors such as user engagement, preferences, and interactions. These algorithms play a significant role in shaping the online experience by prioritizing certain posts over others, which can influence how diverse voices and perspectives are represented in the digital space.
Virtual Reality: Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that creates a simulated environment, allowing users to interact with a computer-generated space in a way that feels real. This technology typically utilizes headsets and sensory equipment to engage users' sight, sound, and sometimes touch, leading to experiences that can alter perceptions of reality. VR is increasingly shaping how we experience media, interact with each other, and consume content, providing unique opportunities for representation and storytelling.
Voice assistants: Voice assistants are AI-powered software applications that use natural language processing to understand and respond to user commands through spoken language. They have become increasingly prevalent in everyday technology, enabling users to interact with devices in a more intuitive way. This shift towards voice-activated technology reflects broader trends in emerging technologies, particularly regarding how representation and accessibility are influenced by these advancements.
VR Headsets: VR headsets are immersive devices worn over the eyes that create a simulated environment, allowing users to experience virtual reality. These devices track head movements and can include additional features like hand controllers, providing an interactive experience that can affect how stories and identities are represented in media.
Wearable technology: Wearable technology refers to electronic devices that can be worn on the body, often equipped with sensors and software that track various personal metrics or provide specific functionalities. This technology has become integral in health monitoring, fitness tracking, and enhancing user interaction with digital content, reflecting broader trends in how technology influences daily life and personal identity.