Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly utilized in college admissions to enhance efficiency and manage the growing volume of applications. AI systems assist in automating tasks such as sorting applications, analyzing transcripts, and evaluating essays, thereby streamlining the admissions process . These technologies can also identify patterns in applicant data, aiding institutions in making informed decisions. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for AI to perpetuate existing biases, especially if the algorithms are trained on historical data that may reflect societal inequalities . Moreover, the lack of transparency in AI decision-making processes poses challenges in ensuring fairness and accountability in admissions decisions. While AI offers promising tools for handling large-scale application reviews, it is crucial for institutions to implement these technologies thoughtfully, maintaining human oversight to uphold equity and integrity in the admissions process. Element451 Higher Ed CRM
TikTok, known in China as Douyin, is a video-focused social networking service owned by Chinese company ByteDance Ltd.The debate over TikTok's role in society encompasses its cultural impact, data privacy concerns, and national security implications. Supporters argue that TikTok fosters creativity, provides a platform for education and activism, and enables users—particularly youth—to express themselves and build communities. However, critics highlight significant concerns regarding user data privacy and the potential for foreign influence. In the United States, these concerns have led to legislative actions, such as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, divest its U.S. operations or face a ban . Similar apprehensions have prompted other countries to impose restrictions or bans on TikTok, citing risks related to data security and content regulation . While TikTok continues to be a popular platform for content creation and social interaction, the ongoing debates underscore the need to balance technological innovation with privacy and national security considerations
Source: Wikipedia
Facial recognition technology (FRT) is increasingly used in criminal investigations, praised for its ability to identify suspects quickly and assist in cases such as locating missing persons or analyzing surveillance footage. Supporters argue it can enhance public safety, citing examples like the identification of individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot (The New Yorker). However, critics raise serious concerns about privacy violations, racial bias, and wrongful arrests. For instance, Randal Quran Reid was wrongfully arrested in Georgia after facial recognition software mistakenly identified him for a crime committed in a state he had never visited (AP News). Studies have shown that FRT systems are more likely to misidentify people of color, particularly when trained on non-diverse datasets (Pumphrey Law Firm). These flaws have led some cities, including San Francisco and Somerville, to ban the use of facial recognition in policing due to its potential to infringe on civil liberties (Wikipedia). As its use expands, the debate centers on whether FRT’s benefits to public safety can truly outweigh the risks to privacy and justice without strict oversight.
Source: Wikipedia
Your face belongs to us : the secretive startup dismantling your privacy by 
The debate over tech-free classrooms centers on whether removing digital devices enhances or hinders student learning. Supporters argue that eliminating screens from the classroom helps students focus, deepens engagement with material, and encourages stronger social interaction (Heritage Academy). Research suggests that constant connectivity can increase anxiety and reduce meaningful participation, while tech-free environments promote critical thinking and mindfulness (Common Sense Classical). On the other hand, critics of tech-free policies believe that technology—when used intentionally—can enrich learning by providing access to interactive tools, diverse resources, and essential digital literacy skills (Future Educators). They emphasize that preparing students for the future means teaching them how to use technology responsibly rather than removing it altogether (Child Development Institute). Ultimately, the decision to limit or embrace tech in the classroom depends on balancing the benefits of focused, interpersonal learning with the need to develop digital competence in an increasingly tech-driven world.
AI enhances human creativity by offering new tools for experimentation and expression. For example, photographer Dahlia Dreszer uses AI models like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney as a “supercharger” for her work, integrating them into her artistic process (Time). Composer Robert Laidlow similarly collaborates with AI in his symphony “Silicon,” blending orchestral music with AI-generated elements (Wikipedia). However, critics voice concerns about ethical issues such as the replication of existing works without permission, raising questions about intellectual property and originality (Jenna Rainey). Others argue that AI-generated content lacks the emotional depth and intentionality of human-created art, challenging our understanding of authenticity (Aoki Studio). As AI becomes more prevalent in creative industries, the debate centers on whether it should be embraced as a collaborative innovation or resisted as a threat to human expression.
Plastic-eating enzyme technologies have emerged as a promising approach to addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. These enzymes, such as PETase and MHETase, can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in bottles and textiles, into its constituent monomers, enabling the possibility of recycling plastics at a molecular level. Advancements in enzyme engineering have led to the development of more efficient variants that can operate at ambient temperatures, potentially reducing the energy requirements of recycling processes . However, concerns remain regarding the scalability and environmental impact of deploying such enzymes on a large scale. Challenges include the potential release of harmful byproducts during degradation and the need for further research to ensure that these enzymes do not adversely affect ecosystems . While plastic-eating enzymes offer a novel solution to plastic waste, their implementation must be carefully managed to balance efficacy with ecological safety. HowStuffWorks+2Wikipedia+2Knowridge Science Report+2
Swarm drones use machine and artificial intelligence to coordinate multiple UAVs into a single networked system for communication, reconnaissance, and attacking targets. This concept involves deploying numerous UAVs equipped with sensors, weapons, and communication tools to gather data, create a detailed battle picture, and relay information to multiple users in real-time.
Source: SP's Land Forces
Drone Warfare by 
Robots, Drones, and Radar by 
In the Air by 
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a family of DNA sequences in prokaryotes like bacteria and archaea, derived from bacteriophage DNA fragments from past infections. These sequences help detect and destroy similar bacteriophage DNA in future infections, playing a crucial role in the prokaryotes' antiviral defense system and providing acquired immunity. This editing process has a wide variety of applications including basic biological research, development of biotechnological products, and treatment of diseases.
Source: Wikipedia
No focus on food allowed…we already have done this. For debate..must focus on humans and living animals.
Crispr by 
Life As We Made It by 
Hacking Darwin by 
Using Genetic Technology by 
How to Clone a Mammoth by 
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“On August 31, 2023, Fitbit and Google came under fire (again) for how the tech giant has been treating its users' potentially sensitive health data.
The best Fitbits are terrific devices that monitor heart rate, sleep, calories burned, workouts, menstrual cycle patterns, and more. But for a long time, concerns have been raised about how this data is being used, especially whether it’s being used to complement Google’s massive data-driven targeted advertising operation.
So where is all your data going? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer: Google and Fitbit have remained tight-lipped, insisting they are using data responsibly and only sharing it for necessary processing purposes, or with user consent. Other parties have attempted to dig into how Fitbit health data is being used or take Google to task over its lack of transparency, with varying degrees of success."
The debate over electric vehicles (EVs) and the metals required for their batteries centers on balancing environmental benefits with the ecological and social costs of mineral extraction. EVs are often promoted as a cleaner alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles due to their zero tailpipe emissions. However, the production of lithium-ion batteries necessitates mining significant quantities of metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which has raised concerns about environmental degradation and human rights violations. For instance, lithium extraction in Chile's Salar de Atacama consumes substantial amounts of freshwater, impacting local ecosystems and Indigenous communities. Similarly, cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been linked to deforestation and hazardous working conditions. While recycling battery materials and developing alternative technologies may mitigate some of these issues, the current demand for these critical minerals continues to pose challenges to the sustainability of EVs.Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1Wikipedia
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