Digital Media, Datafication, and Society

These flashcards cover essential concepts from the digital media, datafication, and societal impacts discussed in the course.

What is datafication?

The process of turning aspects of social life into data that can be analyzed and used.

What is the main concern regarding automated media according to Nigel Shadbolt and Roger Hampson?

The lack of consultation with the public, governments, or international agencies before launching civilization-changing technology.

What event marked the introduction of Web 2.0?

The rise of social media as a central element of web development.

What characteristics define digital cultures?

Convergence, interactivity, and mobility.

What type of data does metadata refer to?

Data about data that contextualizes data to make it meaningful.

What does 'algorithmic bias' refer to?

Automated systems that disadvantage specific groups of people, often seen as a form of data colonialism.

What is 'surveillance capitalism'?

A new form of capitalism based on systematic surveillance and data-gathering by tech companies.

What does the term 'fauxtomation' refer to?

The myth that machines can think and act without human involvement.

What is the significance of open-source tools in digital technologies?

They are not profit-driven and can help alleviate concerns related to black-boxing and opacity in commercial software.

What role do smartphones play in data collection?

They gather extensive personal data including location, spending habits, and social relationships.

Who highlighted the challenges posed by edge cases in AI?

Emily Bender, stressing that AI trained on past data may struggle with novel circumstances.

What is meant by 'ghost workers' in the context of AI?

Human laborers who provide feedback to machine learning systems, essential for their development.

What challenges do Indigenous scholars and activists pose regarding data sovereignty?

They argue for sovereignty over internet infrastructures and challenge harmful settler colonial data practices.

Which two companies dominate the global market for internet browsers as of April 2024?

Google and Apple.

What is a key limitation of privacy legislation in relation to automated media?

It fails to address the structure of the tech industry and fundamental political economic issues.