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Scrutiny and Regulatory Efforts on Big Tech
Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide intensified their focus on the power, practices, and societal impact of major technology companies (Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, etc.) I chose this event because these efforts are shaping the future of internet platforms and possibly leading to new changes in how these platforms are designed and run. -
COVID-19 Pandemic's Acceleration of Digital Life (Ongoing since 2020)
The global pandemic forced a massive shift towards online interactions for work, education, social connection, entertainment, and commerce. This accelerated the adoption of existing internet technologies and social media platforms and highlighted both their importance and their limitations. I included this event because social media usage has skyrocketed since the pandemic. We rely on it for entertainment, news, loneliness, and so much more. It is a huge cultural shift. -
The Rise of Short-Form Video Dominance (TikTok)
TikTok's explosive growth is solidifying short-form video as a dominant content format. This spurred established platforms like Instagram (Reels), YouTube (Shorts), and Snapchat (Spotlight) to heavily invest in and promote similar features, fundamentally altering content creation and consumption patterns. This represents a significant shift in how people create, discover, and consume content online, impacting user attention spans, advertising strategies, and the nature of online communities. -
The Rapid Advancement and Growing Public Awareness of Artificial Intelligence
Significant breakthroughs in AI, particularly in areas like natural language processing and image generation, began to significantly impact web applications, content creation, and even the spread of misinformation. Public awareness and ethical concerns surrounding AI also grew. I included this because we are facing a large ethical dilemma regarding the usage of AI for learning, communication, and jobs. People are scared that AI will take over, but there are no current regulations. -
The Mainstreaming of Live Audio and Creator Economy Platforms
The pandemic spurred interest in new forms of online communication, with live audio platforms like Clubhouse gaining initial significant traction. Simultaneously, platforms empowering individual creators to monetize their content directly experienced substantial growth. I think this is important because there is a bigger emphasis on a direct creator-to-audience relationship, which is more personalized and intimate. -
The Spread and Amplification of Misinformation and Disinformation
The challenges and dangers of misinformation have intensified surrounding critical global events. Social media platforms have faced increased pressure to update their content moderation processes surrounding the sharing of disinformation. I included this part of social media because so many people my age get all of their news and information from social media exclusively, which can be harmful and cause mistrust and fear where there should be none. -
The rise of Metaverse
The rebranding and introduction of the Metaverse, interconnected virtual worlds, gained significant attention. Technology and platforms began expanding to explore new forms of communication, gaming, and commerce. I included this because when paired with AI, we will be facing a world that is so technologically driven and interconnected that it will be interesting to see how our interpersonal communication skills change.