(YR Media)
Here are just a handful of stories from our tech coverage in the past year. From recent efforts to introduce laws protecting child social media influencers to students chiming in about ChatGPT's impact on education, we've had it covered.
My Tale of Discrimination and Hope in IT
By Zipporah "Zipp" Pruitt
Last summer I took a big step for myself and entered the corporate realm, finally leveling up tremendously. I had finally gained confidence and had the groundwork to move to achieve a goal of mine which was to enter the field of Information Technology (IT).
I heard incredible things about IT on social media, about how people of color with or without degrees were able to utilize their technical skills to flourish working with top companies in the tech departments, with or without the use of degrees relevant to the field or any at all. My aunt informed me about a nonprofit that offered a program that I felt was ‘’too-good-to-be-true.’’ They would ideally connect underrepresented people of color from low-income communities to opportunities in a few core fields or ‘’tracks,’’ as they called it, of their choosing. Then perspectives would ultimately be partnered with remote or onsite work across top corporate companies.
Read the rest of the story here.
Chronicles Of Being A Female Gamer
Being a female gamer currently has its ups and downs. I’ve been through it all and encountered all types of people. Some have been the nicest people I’ve ever met, while others were quite questionable.
I started really getting to know people through gaming around the age of 13. I was a quiet person – I still am – but wasn’t as antisocial. I met my first friend and it’s surprising that we still talk from time to time five years later.
Read the rest of the story here.
Illinois’ New Law to Protect Youth Social Media Influencers
By Noah Johnson
Family vlogs, which often share intimate details of children’s lives, are one of the most popular forms of content on platforms like TikTok. Though they’ve garnered brand deals worth thousands of dollars per video, there haven't been many regulations in place for the industry.
But next summer, child social media influencers in Illinois could benefit from a new law that’ll ensure they are compensated for their work, according to the Associated Press.
Read the rest of the story here.
AI-Generated Songs Are Now Eligible for a Grammy
By Sydney Wanguhu
Earlier this year the mysterious artist, Ghostwriter, went viral for their artificially generated song “Heart on My Sleeve” which mimics Canadian artists Drake and the Weeknd, is now considered for a Grammy.
The track has been submitted for best rap song of the year and is eligible for a nomination despite the use of AI technology. CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., told The New York Times, “As far as the creative side, it’s absolutely eligible because it was written by a human.”
Read the rest of the story here.
Opinion: ChatGPT in the Classroom
By Nina Thompson
Since ChatGPT was released in 2022, teachers are becoming more and more concerned about the negative impact that AI could have on education. And rightfully so. When students resort to ChatGPT to complete their homework assignments, it takes away an opportunity for learning. As a student, I can understand that.
But I also see how AI can enhance our learning. Folks can make flashcards from class notes, get feedback on writing and create summaries of long articles for research. But AI platforms can sometimes provide inaccurate information in responses, so use them at your discretion.
Many teachers and institutions are focusing on preventing AI plagiarism. But I think they’re worried about the wrong thing. For me, the broader concern lies in our education system as a whole. I’d like to see our approach to education shift to focus on teaching students to do what AI can’t.