AI Brainstorm

After watching the documentary In the Age of AI, I realized that artificial intelligence is not just something that will affect technology in the future, but something that could directly impact my future career. As a communications major with a minor in event management, I hope to become a wedding planner or event planner one day. Before watching the documentary, I never really thought about how AI could be involved in a career that seems so personal and creative. However, it made me realize that AI will likely play a big role in how events are planned in the future.

One way AI could impact my future job is through planning tools that help organize and manage events. AI can already analyze data and make suggestions based on preferences, budgets, and trends. For example, instead of spending hours looking for the perfect venue, decorations, or catering options, AI programs might be able to generate recommendations based on what a client wants in just seconds. It could also help with scheduling, guest lists, seating charts, and timelines, which are all important parts of event planning that usually take up a lot of time.

As a college student, this also made me a little concerned about how much students are starting to rely on AI in school. It’s easy to think, “Why do I need to learn this if I can just ask ChatGPT?” While AI can definitely be a helpful tool, relying on it too much can cause people to avoid doing the actual work that helps them learn and grow. In careers like event planning, skills such as communication, organization, problem-solving, and creativity are extremely important. If students depend on AI to do everything for them now, they may struggle in future jobs that require those real-life skills and decision-making abilities that technology cannot fully replace.

It also made me think about how fast AI is developing compared to how slowly laws and regulations are being put in place. Technology is improving quickly, but there are not always clear rules about how it should be used or who is responsible when something goes wrong. This could be a problem, especially if AI is being used in serious areas like healthcare or law enforcement where mistakes could have real consequences.

Overall, AI will likely make parts of event planning faster and more efficient, especially when it comes to organization and communication and the important paperwork. However, the human aspect of the job, like creativity, emotional understanding, and personal connection, will still be extremely important. Watching the documentary made me realize that in my future career as a wedding or event planner, I will probably need to learn how to work alongside AI instead of seeing it as something that replaces the role of a planner. Just because it wont effect mt job as much, there are so many jobs that could be completely taken over by AI. Saying that the documentary made me realize that AI is not just something that will affect future generations, it is already shaping the world around us. While it has many benefits, it also comes with risks that should not be ignored. It is important for people to understand how AI works and be aware of how it might affect different parts of life as technology continues to grow.

Privacy

Before watching the privacy TED Talks, I knew that our phones tracked certain things like location or search history, but I never really thought about how much information was actually being collected. I always assumed it was just basic data, like what apps I use or what websites I visit. After watching the talks and talking about it in class, I realized that it goes way deeper than that. Our phones and other devices can track where we go, how often we travel, what we search, and even our daily routines. That made me realize how much less private online life is than most people think.

One thing that I notice all the time is when I’m online shopping. I love just browsing different clothing websites and looking at things I might want to buy. Sometimes I will click on a shirt or a pair of shoes just to look at it and then move on without adding it to my cart or doing anything else. Later, I’ll be scrolling through Instagram and suddenly see an ad for the exact same item I was looking at earlier. I didn’t search it again or talk about it. I just clicked on it once. I always find it weird that companies know I’m interested in something just from one click. It really shows how closely our activity online is being tracked, even when we think we’re just casually browsing.

What surprised me the most from the talks was how this information is not only collected but also stored and sometimes sold by companies. A lot of the time we agree to this without even realizing it when we accept terms and conditions. Companies are able to build profiles based on our behavior online, which can reveal personal details about our habits and interests. This made me think about how easily that information could be misused if it got into the wrong hands.

Another thing I found concerning is how permanent things on the internet can be. Once something is shared online, it can be difficult or even impossible to completely remove it. Even if you delete something, it may already be saved or shared somewhere else. Something that seems harmless in the moment could end up affecting someone later in life.

The talks also made me realize that privacy is not just about hiding something wrong. It’s about protecting yourself from being taken advantage of. Personal information could be used in harmful ways, whether that means identity theft, harassment, or other issues. 

Overall, these talks changed the way I think about technology and privacy. Technology makes our lives easier in so many ways, but it also comes with risks that a lot of people tend to ignore. It’s important to be more aware of what we share online and understand that privacy is something we have to actively protect in today’s digital world. Personally, I know a lot of my information is already out there, and sometimes it feels like it’s too late to do anything about it. But learning all of this has definitely made me think more about what I’m putting online and realize that not everyone needs access to every part of my life.

Eight Values of Free Expression

 

After learning about the Eight Values of Free Expression, I started noticing how clearly they show up in current events, especially in controversial health policy. I was looking at this article that really connects to these values discusses Louisiana trying to extradite a California doctor for allegedly mailing abortion pills into the state. California Governor Gavin Newsom refused the request, arguing that the doctor acted legally under California law. This situation is not just about abortion, it’s about state power, individual rights, and how free expression allows these conflicts to play out publicly instead of being hidden or silenced.

1. Marketplace of Ideas

John Milton, in Areopagitica, argues that when truth and false ideas compete freely, truth will eventually win. This is very obvious in this situation. Louisiana officials argue that mailing abortion pills into their state violates their laws and puts women at risk. Meanwhile, California leaders argue they are protecting doctors who are legally providing reproductive healthcare. Both sides are making public statements, and the media is reporting on the disagreement. This reflects Milton’s idea that when ideas compete freely, the public can hear both arguments and decide what they believe.

2. Participation in Self-Government

     

Alexander Meiklejohn believed free speech is necessary for citizens to make informed decisions in a democracy. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, states gained more power to regulate abortion individually. Louisiana voters elected leaders who support stricter abortion laws, while California voters elected leaders who support abortion protections. Free expression allows citizens to debate these policies, vote, protest, and advocate for change. Without open discussion, democracy would not function properly because people would not fully understand what they are voting for.

3. Stable Change

Benedict Spinoza argued that allowing people to express controversial opinions helps keep society stable because it prevents violence. Abortion is an emotional topic, but instead of violence, this disagreement is being handled through courts and legal processes. Louisiana filed charges, and California responded by refusing extradition. This shows how free expression allows people to challenge policies through structured systems rather than chaos.

4. Individual Self-Fulfillment

C. Edwin Baker believed that free speech allows individuals to form their identity and express their values. Abortion policy is deeply personal. People’s views on this issue are often shaped by religion, morality, and beliefs about bodily autonomy. Free speech allows individuals to express their beliefs without fear of punishment. Whether someone supports abortion access or strongly opposes it, the First Amendment protects their ability to share their opinion and form their identity around their values.

5. Check on Governmental Power

Vince Blasi described the First Amendment as having a “checking function” against government abuse. The media plays an important watchdog role in this case. Reporting on Louisiana’s indictment and California’s response keeps both governments accountable. Without journalists covering the story, many people would not know this interstate conflict is happening. Free expression ensures that government actions are visible and open to public criticism.

6. Promote Tolerance

Lee Bollinger argues that protecting speech we disagree with helps society become more tolerant. Louisiana and California clearly have opposing beliefs about abortion. Free expression protects both sides’ ability to defend their laws publicly. Even though the disagreement is intense, both states are using legal and political channels rather than silencing one another.

7. Promote Innovation

Jack Balkin suggests that protecting free speech encourages creativity and social progress. This case involves telemedicine and abortion medication being mailed across state lines. Healthcare is constantly evolving, and new technologies often create legal and ethical debates. Free expression allows doctors, lawmakers, and researchers to question and discuss these advancements openly. Without debate, medical innovation could be limited by politics instead of evidence.

8. Protect Dissent

Steve Shiffrin emphasizes that the First Amendment strongly protects dissent, even when it is unpopular. Protecting dissent is especially important in controversial topics like abortion. California passed shield laws to protect doctors who legally provide abortion services within the state, even if other states disagree. At the same time, Louisiana is exercising its right to dissent against abortion access. The First Amendment protects both sides’ ability to challenge each other legally and politically.       

                           

Overall, this article shows that the Eight Values of Free Expression are not just ideas from history. They are actively shaping modern health policy debates. Even when people strongly disagree, the ability to debate, report, protest, and legally challenge decisions is what keeps democracy functioning. This case proves that free expression is not just about speech; it is about how our society handles conflict and change.

My Top 5 News Sources

Tik Tok

One of my favorite and fastest ways to get news is from TikTok. I use this app almost every day when I get bored, and when I scroll, I see a lot of different creators and regular people talking about current events or things I'm interested in. This can include politics, environmental issues, current drama about celebrities, and more. Many people share how they feel about a topic, how it affects people, or how it impacts the world around us.

One thing I think TikTok is different about is its algorithm. The app shows you more content based on what you interact with. Like if I start watching videos about a recipe I like, my “For You Page” quickly fills up with similar cooking videos or other recipes.

I also like TikTok because it shows news in a more personal way. Instead of just reading headlines, I get to hear real people explain what’s happening in their own words and even with pictures. This makes the news easier to understand and more interesting to pay attention to since it's shorter videos, so it doesn't lose my attention. Since people from all over the world use TikTok, I’m able to see different viewpoints and learn about events I might not hear about anywhere else.

Friends and Family 
Friends and family are a big part of how I learn about the news, too. Sometimes, after a long day, I don't feel like reading long stories or even watching the news, so I don’t hear about certain events from social media or TV, but through conversations with people. Whether it’s talking with friends at school, family at home, or on the phone, news often comes up in everyday conversations.

My friends usually bring up topics they’ve seen online or things that are trending, which helps me stay aware of what people my age are paying attention to. Family members often share news they’ve heard from TV or the paper. Since they come from different backgrounds and generations, they often have different viewpoints, which helps me see both sides of an issue.

Hearing news from friends and family makes it feel more personal and relatable. It also gives me the chance to ask questions and share my opinions. Even if we don’t agree, these conversations help me better understand what’s happening in the world and how it affects people differently.

NBC News

NBC is one of the more traditional news sources I use when I want detailed information. Unlike social media, NBC focuses on reporting facts and giving clear explanations about what is happening in the world. When major events occur, I like checking NBC to better understand the full story. I use NBC when I hear of big disasters, weather, and public issues happening.

NBC covers a wide range of topics, like politics, weather, national events, and international news. I find it helpful because the information is usually organized and explained in a way that is easy to follow. Watching or reading NBC helps me confirm things I may have already seen online.

Using NBC alongside social media helps balance the way I get my news. While social media shows quick updates and opinions. It also gives me a nostalgic feeling watching the news, which reminds me of my dad because he used to watch it every night when he would get home from work.

Instagram 

Instagram is another platform I often use to get news. I don’t follow many influencers on Instagram, mostly just people I know in real life, but news posts still show up on my feed, which have headlines that grab my attention.

Instagram has helped me discover news topics that I might not normally search for. Sometimes a post will catch my attention and make me curious, which leads me to learn more about the issue or even look it up on a different news source to get more information. This has helped me stay informed about current events. I like using Instagram for news because it combines world events with everyday life. 

Podcast

I also get a lot of my news from a podcast called Morbid on Spotify. This podcast focuses on true crime, including stories about murders, missing people, and other unusual cases. I like listening to it because it goes into great detail and explains the events in a way that is both interesting and easy to understand.

Since I don't live at home while I'm at school, Morbid gives me updates on local news at home. The hosts often talk about cases that are closer to where I live, which helps me stay aware of what’s happening in my community. I also enjoy that the podcast doesn’t just tell the story, it often goes into the background, the people involved, and the impact of the events.

Listening to Morbid has helped me develop a habit of paying attention to details. Even though some of the stories are shocking, it teaches me to understand events from different angles and consider how they affect people’s lives. It’s a unique way to learn about current events that I wouldn’t get from social media or traditional news channels.

No one source can tell the whole story, and most stories have more than one side. That’s why I like to get my news from a mix of places. Social media keeps me updated fast, podcasts go into more detail, and traditional news helps me understand the facts. Using all of them together helps me stay informed and see the whole picture.