Class,
First a couple of teacher confessions:
Emily found an error in the midterm test that’s been there since I first developed it in 2022. And I couldn’t find it so this is clearly an example of a blind spot. Ironically, it was the question on bias. I’ll be making minor adjustments in the gradebook (.33 points, I believe) to add points to everyone who has submitted their quiz to date.
Also, thank you to Zoe for her comment on the Hypothesis assignment. Zoe observed that this article was written by a consultant and that there was perhaps a economic incentive for them to write the article. I would concur that management consultants do that in order to demonstrate that they have the expertise to be hired for future work. While I found this article to be a simpler read than using a chapter in a textbook (which would have copyright limitations associated with it), I can certainly do a better job of stating this upfront so that people can read it with a more critical eye. I will make that change in the next iteration.
On to discussing this week’s material.
First, AI…
As I heard in a recent seminar, “AI won’t take your job, but people who learn how to do effective prompt engineering may.”
I think AI is a great example of an enterprise risk, not a traditional risk, since it will have both challenges and opportunities. There is also a lot to be learned about our risk appetite for innovation. And yes, risk appetite will be discussed in an future module. I also believe that AI is going have a transformative effect on education at all levels – Will instructors become less of a key player as we move towards more online learning? Will universities continue to exist in their current form? Khan Academy is clearly embracing the technology!Links to an external site.
FYI, the increased use of AI is resulting in decreased availability of electricity and the concurrent cascading risk on climate changeLinks to an external site. due to these energy needs as well as being a major water hog!Links to an external site.
Let’s move to a quick debrief on the discussion board.
Not being a user of social media myself, I often wonder if I’m at risk because I’m not “keeping up” with crowdsourcing. For me, I find that social media is like the dementors in Harry Potter, and I certainly don’t have time to have the life sucked out of me anytime soon. I also connect this module to the one where we reviewed the material on those who may be hearing or site impaired and need to rely on alternative news sources. Some of you may have heard about the “attention economyLinks to an external site.”, and as we know, those selling information – both real and fake – are definitely prioritizing their needs over ours! 😊
First, a comment about citizen science now referred to as participatory scienceLinks to an external site.. I don’t often use Smithsonian references in the course – my Smithsonian ethics advisors frown on that since they are concerned that the course would be perceived as being taught by the Smithsonian – the joys of being an adjunct! At any rate, our Environmental Research Center has decided to change the name from citizen science to participatory science. That won’t have an impact on the video that we reviewed since it was made in 2020. Just something for you all to be aware of.
Also, you will not find federal entities on TikTok at the moment since federal employees and many state employees are banned from using this platform.Links to an external site.
I think one of the things that resonates most with me about this week’s discussion is how Dr. Liu took initiative to solve a problem using the technology she had available to her. It was clearly an example of innovation and early adoption. Another example might be the use of 3D printing and whether it is used to make pharmaceuticals or biological weapons.
Many of you also commented on the factchecking – that is a critical aspect of maintaining one’s reputation. Since I am a person of a certain age (e.g., baby boomer), I recall when individuals starting posting their need for help on Facebook and how EOCs across the country were up in arms since people weren’t using 911 – the system specifically designed to respond to emergencies. And as time has passed, Facebook has now been integrated into many emergency management communications systems. Several of you also made the connection between AI and crowdsourcing.
What do you think about “likes” on social media? Is that a type of crowdsourcing? Are we trusting something more because it has more likes?
And here’s a resource on how to implement social media in emergency management.Links to an external site.
We clearly live in interesting times.
Other links for your perusal…
Does offering ChatGPT a tip cause it to generate better text?Links to an external site.
Meet ChatGPT’s new competitorLinks to an external site.
One Government Instagram account that gets a lot of loveLinks to an external site.
Toothbrush bots!Links to an external site.
A major healthcare hack this weekLinks to an external site.
Nice work as you work through these modules. As always, I enjoyed reading your perspectives. Enjoy spring break and LMK if you need anything.
C
