What is 'algorithmic bias'?

When an AI or algorithm produces systematically unfair outcomes for certain groups — usually because the training data or design reflected existing human prejudices When an algorithm is programmed with intentional prejudice by a malicious developer Software that favors certain brands or products in search results for payment A tendency for AI to prefer newer data over older historical data

What is a 'filter bubble'?

When algorithms show you only content that matches your existing views and interests, creating an information bubble where you're less exposed to different perspectives A privacy setting that prevents websites from collecting data about your browsing Content moderation filters that remove harmful or offensive posts from your feed An internet service that filters out spam and irrelevant search results

What ethical concern does facial recognition technology raise?

Mass surveillance without consent, higher error rates for darker-skinned people, potential for misidentification leading to false arrests, and chilling effects on free speech and assembly It's too slow to process large crowds in real time, making it ineffective for security The cameras used for facial recognition are too expensive for most organizations Facial recognition only works indoors — it can't identify people in outdoor environments

What is 'misinformation' and how does it spread online?

False or inaccurate information — it spreads rapidly online because algorithms amplify emotional, outrage-inducing content regardless of accuracy, and people share before verifying Deliberately misleading information — the same as disinformation Information that was accurate when written but has become outdated Rumors and gossip spread in private messages rather than public posts

What is 'disinformation' and how is it different from misinformation?

Deliberately created false information intended to deceive — disinformation is intentional deception, while misinformation may be spread unknowingly They're the same thing — both refer to any false information regardless of intent Disinformation is spread online; misinformation is spread through traditional media Disinformation involves numbers and statistics; misinformation involves stories and quotes

What is 'deepfake' technology?

AI-generated synthetic media — videos, audio, or images where someone appears to say or do something they never did — convincing enough to be mistaken for real Videos recorded in very deep ocean or underground environments using special cameras Extremely high-definition video that captures more detail than the human eye can see Surveillance footage taken from deep-cover undercover operations

What is 'surveillance capitalism'?

An economic system where companies extract value by collecting and analyzing human behavioral data to predict and influence behavior, primarily for targeted advertising Government surveillance of companies to ensure they comply with capitalism rules Using security cameras in stores to prevent shoplifting and reduce costs A communist economic theory that argues technology companies should be nationalized

What does 'digital equity' mean?

Ensuring everyone has equal access to technology, internet connectivity, and digital skills — addressing the 'digital divide' that disadvantages people without reliable access Making sure all digital content is equally distributed without copyright restrictions Ensuring men and women are equally represented in technology companies Equal pricing for internet plans so everyone pays the same regardless of location

What is the ethical issue with using AI to make decisions about loans, jobs, or bail?

AI systems can embed and scale historical biases, make opaque decisions people can't challenge, and lack the contextual understanding that important life-affecting decisions require AI decisions are always more accurate than human decisions, which creates an unfair advantage for those who can afford AI services The main issue is that AI makes decisions too quickly — people deserve more time to wait AI is only ethical for decisions when it agrees with what a human would have decided

What responsibility do technology creators have for how their products are used?

Technology creators bear significant ethical responsibility — they should anticipate harms, design for safety and privacy, and respond when their products cause damage, even if use is technically legal None — technology is neutral and only users are responsible for how they choose to use it Only financial responsibility — companies should pay damages after harms occur Only legal responsibility — if a company follows all laws, it has no further obligations