1. Explain the tech; what is it, how does it work, what hardware, software, and network does it need? – AI means Artificial Intelligence, and it works by storing commands and replicating human intelligence. Depending on what kind of AI you are using, it could run on a different hardware, software, and network.
2. Is it currently available to the public? – It is technically available to the public in different ways, such as autocorrect and AI generated art.
3. Who (or what) invented or pioneered the technology? – It was inspired by robotic characters such as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. According to Rockwell Anyoha, “By the 1950s, we had a generation of scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers with the concept of artificial intelligence (or AI) culturally assimilated in their minds. One such person was Alan Turing, a young British polymath who explored the mathematical possibility of artificial intelligence.” (https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/history-artificial-intelligence/)
4. What “problem” does it solve for its users? – It could solve a lot of problems, such as customer support, data analysis, and even taking your order at a restaurant! (This actually happened to me at the Rally’s drive thru on Main St.)
5. Are there any potential drawbacks or dangers of using the tech? – Things such as bias, discrimination, and privacy concerns are just a few drawbacks to AI.
6. Offer one example of how widespread adoption of this technology might impact society. – Honestly, with AI generated art, it could cause a huge loss in profits to artists and companies, but it could also help our society by making stressful jobs easier.

 

1: Duolingo

What are they used for?

Duolingo is used to help people learn and practice speaking different languages.

Who is the target audience?

Duolingo’s target audience is people that would like to learn a different language, or multiple different languages. I think that this would be most beneficial to people in a language class, studying, or travelling to a foreign country.

What are the revenue streams for the publishers?

Memberships and advertisements are two ways that the publishers of Duolingo receive revenue.

Can you offer your readers any tips, tricks, or hacks for getting the most out of the app?

Not only does duolingo have tips, but you are also able to view your progress and earn points in order to customize your app experience.

(https://blog.duolingo.com/introducing-tips/)

(https://www.zippia.com/advice/how-does-duolingo-make-money/#:~:text=Duolingo%20makes%20money%20through%20paid,both%20Rosetta%20Stone%20and%20Babbel.)

2: Instagram

What are they used for?

Instagram is a site where you can share posts and videos, video chat, and text people.

Who is the target audience?

I think Instagram’s target audience is everyone at least thirteen and up.

What are the revenue streams for the publishers?

I would assume Instagram gets a lot of their revenue from advertisements or sponsorships. There is always a bunch of advertisements when you’re scrolling or tapping through people’s stories. Finity, one of the sources, confirms my assumption. Instagram offers advertising opportunities for creators.

Can you offer your readers any tips, tricks, or hacks for getting the most out of the app?

Honestly, private your account or change the security settings to your liking. There are a lot of bad people on the internet, and annoying robots that like to spam you. Make sure you follow the people you would want to stay in contact with as well! There is also a feature where you can block users that you don’t like and don’t want to communicate with. I like this feature a lot.

(https://finty.com/us/business-models/Instagram/#:~:text=of%20the%20market.-,How%20Instagram%20makes%20money,shoppers%20follow%20companies%20and%20brands.)

(https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/parents-ultimate-guide-to-instagram)