AP Computer Science Principles: The Societal and Ethical Impact of Computing

Computing Innovation

Includes a program as an integral part of its function, can be physical, non-physical software, or conceptual.

Collaboration in Computing

Massive scale collaboration enabled by the Internet, allowing people to work together asynchronously.

Targeted Advertising

A computing innovation that enables businesses to reach specific customers and consumers to see relevant products.

Algorithmic Bias

When a computing system reflects the implicit values of the humans involved in coding or data selection.

Digital Divide

The gap between those who have access to the Internet and modern computing resources and those who do not.

Training Data Bias

Bias that occurs when AI is trained on data that reflects historical prejudices.

Crowdsourcing

The practice of obtaining information or input into a task by enlisting the services of a large number of people.

Citizen Science

A type of crowdsourcing where the public contributes to scientific research.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Anything a person creates that is subject to legal protection against unauthorized copying.

Copyright

Automatically grants legal protection to creators against unauthorized copying of their original works.

Creative Commons (CC)

Public copyright licenses that allow free distribution of otherwise copyrighted works.

Open Source Software

Software with source code made freely available for modification and redistribution.

Privacy Invasion

The act of infringing on a person's privacy, often seen in targeted advertising practices.

Strong Passwords

Long, complex combinations of characters used to protect accounts and personal information.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

A security measure that requires more than one form of verification to access an account.

Cybersecurity Threats

Various types of attacks that threaten to compromise information security.

Virus

Malicious code that attaches to legitimate programs and spreads when run.

Phishing

A social engineering attack where users are tricked into revealing personal information.

Encryption

The process of scrambling data to ensure only authorized parties can read it.

Public Key Encryption

A method of encryption that uses a public key to encrypt data and a private key to decrypt it.

Rogue Access Point

An unauthorized wireless access point that allows illicit access to secure networks.

Cloud Computing

Computing services delivered over the Internet, enabling scalable resources and collaboration.

Data Aggregation

Combining non-PII data to re-identify users through other means.

Echo Chambers

A situation where belief systems are reinforced by communication and media that only supports them.

Machine Learning / AI

Technologies that involve algorithms making predictions or decisions based on data.

Social Media Impact

The profound changes in communication, relationships, and information dissemination caused by social networking.

GPS Technology

A navigation system that uses satellite signals to determine the location of a device.

Digital Literacy

Knowledge and skills needed to effectively use digital tools and resources.

Community Collaboration

The process by which individuals work together to achieve a common goal in an open-source environment.

Civic Participation

Engagement in the processes of governance through technology, especially for accessing information.

Algorithmic Accountability

The responsibility for the decision-making processes of algorithms and their impact on society.

Credit/Loans Discrimination

Unfair denial of loans or credit opportunities based on biased algorithms.

Vulnerable Data

Information that, if exposed or exploited, can lead to significant risks like identity theft.

Digital Redlining

Practices where certain demographics are unfairly denied technological access or services.

Filter Bubbles

The result of algorithmic filtering that isolates users in a customized experience, limiting their exposure to diverse content.

Phishing Prevention

Measures taken to instruct users to avoid clicking suspicious links or revealing personal information.

Biometric Data

Physical characteristics used for identity verification, often high-risk PII.

Misinformation Spread

The rapid dissemination of false or misleading information, particularly via social media.

Echo Chamber Effect

The reinforcement of beliefs through selective exposure to information that confirms existing views.

Critical Thinking in Computing

The evaluation and analysis of the implications of computing innovations and their societal impact.

Privacy Risks

Potential dangers posed to individuals' private information, especially in a digital context.

Data Privacy

The aspect of data protection that deals with the proper handling of sensitive information.

Security Flaws

Weaknesses or vulnerabilities in system design that can be exploited by malicious actors.

Algorithm Training

The process of teaching an AI model using datasets to improve its performance.

Anti-virus Software

Programs designed to detect and eliminate malware before it can harm devices.

User Input in Algorithms

The role that human behavior and choices play in shaping algorithmic outcomes.

Creative Commons License Types

Varieties of CC licenses that define how a work can be used and shared.

Social Engineering

Manipulative tactics used to deceive individuals into revealing confidential information.

Data Ethics

The study of ethical implications related to data usage, including privacy and bias.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

A framework that manages digital certificates and public-key encryption.

Accountability in Computing

Ensuring that developers and companies assume responsibility for their algorithms and their impacts.