Digital Public Square

We live in a “smart-everything” world. We have artificial intelligence (AI) at our fingertips for nearly every part of our day. From AI-based wearable technology to phones, tablets, computers, and even appliances, nearly every aspect of our lives is being tracked, recorded, and processed by some form of algorithmic technology. And there are incredible advantages to these technologies. We now have safer and more effective medical treatment and vaccine development. Our neighborhoods are more connected and safer than ever before because of video surveillance and various communication tools. Our homes are even more efficient and comfortable. And our families have convenient access to more information than previous generations could have imagined.Before the onset of COVID-19, one popular narrative suggested that our technological progress might ultimately lead to the eradication of sickness, disease, and in some cases even death itself. In his New York Times best-seller Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, world-renowned Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari argues that, with small exceptions here and there, humanity has essentially overcome the three big problems that have plagued our lives since the dawn of civilization: famine, war, and plague. He then proudly predicts that we will shift our creative energies toward tackling two other major issues: happiness and death itself. Even granting that Harari’s views of humanity and technological progress are fairly extreme, there is widespread hope and hype surrounding the field of AI and its potential to remake our world.But how does the turbulent and momentous year of 2020 fit into this grand vision of the future? So far, we have seen devastating famines in Africa, major conflicts between world powers such as the US and China, grotesque racial injustice, and a ferocious worldwide pandemic. And we still have several months to go.Read More--The RundownHow an AI grading system missed the mark – AxiosBias, positive and negative, is a fact of human life — a fact that this AI system was meant to counter. But poorly designed algorithms risk entrenching a new form of bias that could have impacts that go well beyond university placement including criminal justice reform and even policing.Trump gives TikTok a new deadline: 90 days instead of 45 – The VergeIn an executive order issued on August 14, President Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell or spinoff TikTok to a US-based company. Citing national security concerns in his original executive order on August 6, President Trump gave the Chinese company until September 20; now it has until November 12.Secret Service reportedly paid to access phone location data – CNetA recent Motherboard report highlights documents that show evidence that the Secret Service used a product called Locate X to track individuals’ locations via apps on their cell phones. But along with the potential benefits comes the very real possibility of government overreach and invasion of privacy.Facebook and NYU use artificial intelligence t

On Sunday, the country of Belarus held a national election where President Alexander Lukashenko won in a landslide victory, claiming an implausible 80% of the vote. Over the last few days, the nation has experienced mass protests over the controversial election, and the opposition leader, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has fled to neighboring Lithuania for safety. Tikhanovskaya became the opposition candidate after her husband Siarhei Tsikhanousk was jailed by the Lukashenko regime. Tikhanovskaya gained mass support with younger Belarusians by utilizing the power of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube to share her message and organize large rallies. In hopes of quelling protests and widespread unrest in the nation, which is especially high given the failure of the regime to slow down the spread of COVID-19, Lukashenko’s regime reportedly shut down the internet, which allows dissidents to connect with each other and the outside world.Read More---The RundownNew documents show QAnon groups have millions of members on Facebook – NBC NewsWhile Facebook has taken previous measures to regulate white nationalism, misinformation, and other extremist hallmarks of QAnon supporters, the company is expected to follow Twitter’s footsteps in taking harsher action combating the group’s harmful content.TikTok announces first wave of creators set to receive payment for their videos – The VergeWhile its standing in America is still in question, TikTok announced that initial payouts from its $200 million Creators Fund are set to be made to a select number of viral users. This is the first phase in a project that the company hopes will grow into a $1 billion fund over the next three yearsFacial Recognition Start-Up Mounts a First Amendment Defense – The VergeClearview AI is arguing that its actions are protected under the First Amendment, claiming that free speech laws protect its right to use and distribute information that has been made publicly available on the internet. The way these cases are ruled will set a crucial precedent for how the relationship between free speech and privacy will be interpreted.Landmark UK court ruling finds police use of facial recognition unlawful – ReutersA lower court had initially ruled that the agency’s use of surveillance was lawful, but Tuesday’s overriding decision cited concerns that the force was given little to no limitation on how the technology could be used. 

Over the last few weeks, there has been a cultural firestorm over the viral video sharing app TikTok and a potential ban in the United States. TikTok’s usage surged during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns with millions of users finding reprieve during this difficult season of isolation and social distancing. My colleague Conrad Close and I recently wrote about this application that has taken the world by storm. It is the first major mobile application to be built specifically for the smartphone era and has been wildly successful, with rival social media companies seeking to catch up or even ride the momentum of its innovative approach to video sharing. From Instagram’s newly released Reels to the promised Youtube Shorts, major technology companies see the success of TikTok and desire to be a part of this shift in the way people connect and share information.Alongside the enjoyable family dance videos, jokes, and even political activism on TikTok, there is a considerable threat to freedom, human rights, and personal privacy that often flies under the radar based on TikTok’s contentious relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their involvement with private companies. This is one of the main reasons that the United States government has been exploring options of banning or encouraging the sale of the U.S. TikTok operations to a non-Chinese company like Microsoft. Read More The RundownInstagram Launches Reels, Its Attempt to Keep You Off TikTok – The VergeWith TikTok’s future uncertain, Instagram is hoping to lure some creators away with the rollout of a direct competitor, Reels, which is launching in more than 50 countries. With ‘Mulan,’ Disney Tests Out Entirely New Early VOD Model – VarietyIn another major blow to movie theaters, Disney announced “Mulan” will forgo its planned theatrical release. Instead, the live-action remake is premiering on Disney Plus on Sept. 4 for a premium rental price.How new tech raises the risk of nuclear war – AxiosNuclear war remains the single greatest present threat to humanity — and one that is poised to grow as emerging technologies, like much faster missiles, cyber warfare and artificial intelligence, upset an already precarious nuclear balance.Will COVID-19 Kill Cash? – Project SyndicateReports that the coronavirus could be transmitted by handling cash has given people another reason to steer clear of banknotes. Although untrue, the damage has been done, and a recent survey found that 75% of respondents expect to use cash less in the future.

It's easy for anyone to get caught up in the hype surrounding new technologies. A new innovation often debuts with some helpful benefits and great new features, all of which wow us and lead us to believe that we are on the cusp of something truly revolutionary. Promises are made, and there are countless predictions about what is to come next. But soon after the press conferences fade and the hype dies down, we see these innovations for what they really are—helpful tools with innovative benefits that often do not live up to the hype surrounding their release but also reveal a number of potential misuses, abuses, or failures that we did not account for. Part of this is because we grow accustomed to innovation. But it also happens because we put a level of hope and desire on these technologies to usher in a new era of our world.OpenAI recently announced their new language model called GPT-3, which is one of the most advanced AI systems in the world to date. This system is truly amazing. It is able to write prose, design and code basic HTML including various mini applications, and even engage in “deep” philosophical conversations about the nature of God and the universe with you. OpenAI released the technical documentation back in May. And according to Morning Brew, GPT-3 “has 175 billion parameters, a 117x increase over its predecessor’s 1.5 billion.” The system was trained on roughly a trillion words. In layman’s terms, it is pretty powerful. The company decided to allow a small group of select users to test out the system, and many shared their experiments online to show off the power of the new system. Read More The RundownCEO says TikTok will reveal how its algorithms work – AxiosIn his first public statement as CEO of TikTok, former Disney exec Kevin Mayer says the company will be releasing the code that drives its content-moderation algorithms so that experts can observe how its policies are enforced in real time.Facebook Offers Money to Reel In TikTok Creators – The Wall Street JournalFacebook Inc.’s Instagram has offered financial incentives to TikTok users with millions of followers to persuade them to use a new competing service, an escalation in a high-stakes showdown between the two social-media giants.Tech liability fight comes back into focus – AxiosLegislation taking aim at Section 230 is less of a moonshot than seeking to break up tech giants. But it still may be a tall order to move any major tech legislation before the November election.Google to Keep Employees Home Until Summer 2021 Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – The Wall Street JournalGoogle will keep its employees home until at least next July, making the search-engine giant the first major U.S. corporation to formalize such an extended timetable in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

This week Trillia Newbell, author, speaker, and commentator on World Radio, joins me to talk about parenting our kids in this technological day. We discuss Moxie, a forthcoming robot companion for children, from the company Embodied. We consider some of the implications of personifying technology in this way and the need for wisdom in teaching our children about interacting with technology. We dive into what it means to entrust our kids to the Lord and discuss the importance of not simply handing over a tool but taking the time to learn with your child.LinksEmbodied's Moxie and promotional videoJohn Dyer's article on thinking about screen time and using technology actively rather than passivelyMore about Trillia NewbellTrillia Newbell is the author of numerous books and her writing focuses on issues of faith, family, and diversity. She is also a commentator for World Radio, the sister platform for World Magazine. She is a sought after speaker and also serves at Moody Publishers as an acquisitions editor. She also serves as the Director of Community Outreach at the ERLC.

This is the second in a new series of interviews on the WeeklyTech Podcast, where a couple times a month we will highlight an interview with leading cultural and thought leaders about the role technology plays in our society. This week Jay Kim, a pastor at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, joins me to talk about his new book, Analog Church. We discuss how his book speaks to this cultural moment, the importance of utilizing technology as tools rather than allowing it to utilize us, as well as our need for community in this digital age. We dive into what it means to be embodied creatures and discuss how to find a balance in our responses to technology in order to utilize technology well.Check out Jay’s new book Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age.Listen to WeeklyTech online or subscribe at most major podcasting apps such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.More about Jay Kim:Jay Kim serves on staff at Vintage Faith Church. He is also on the leadership team at The ReGeneration Project, where he co-hosts The ReGeneration Podcast. Some of his written work has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Relevant Magazine, Missio Alliance, Outreach Magazine, and other places. He is a graduate of Fuller Seminary. In March 2020 he released his first book, called Analog Church (InterVarsity Press). It’s about the challenges and opportunities churches face in the digital age, offering a new and hopeful way forward. He and his wife Jenny, along with their kids Harper and Simon, call the Silicon Valley of California home._

When you read or hear about artificial intelligence (AI), you probably have one of two reactions: fear of the unknown or some level of disregard because of other seemingly more pressing issues. Both reactions are understandable. AI seems like a far off, futuristic technology that doesn’t yet affect daily life. In reality, though, AI is around us all the time and, for all its tangible benefits, major promises have been made about how this technology will revolutionize our lives.Along with many of these overhyped predictions, there’s a great need for ethical reflection, because these technologies already drive our communication tools, medical innovations, weapons of war, economy, office work, and even the smart devices in our homes. There are many moral concerns about how these technologies will be developed and deployed in our local communities, as well as major philosophical debates over the role of theistic faith in the sciences. But a quick survey of popular AI literature reveals too few thinkers engaging with these issues from a distinctly Christian worldview.This is exactly where John Lennox’s new book, 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity, enters the conversation. Lennox serves as emeritus professor of mathematics at Oxford University and is a prolific writer on the interface of science, philosophy, and religion. In this book he engages a wide swath of AI literature, highlights the promises and perils of this technology, and ultimately shows how the Christian faith is the most coherent worldview for engage the pressing issues of AI.Read More The RundownApple WWDC 2020: the 18 biggest announcements – The VergeApple’s WWDC 2020 was unique before it even began. There were some big announcements, including some you might have been expecting and others that might catch you by surprise. Here are the biggest announcements.The Cost of Privacy Report – OktaTo better understand how people perceive both their digital identity and how it is managed, Okta commissioned Juniper Research to conduct an online survey of over 12,000 people between the ages of 18 and 75 in six countries.An Algorithm That ‘Predicts’ Criminality Based on a Face Sparks a Furor – WiredRace science was debunked long ago, but papers that use machine learning to “predict” innate attributes or offer diagnoses are making a subtle, but alarming return.Google employees demand the company end police contracts – The VergeOver 1,650 Google employees have signed an open letter to CEO Sundar Pichai demanding the company stop selling its technology to police forces across the US.

A book’s publication date is often set as an author signs the contract, and it usually feels far away and distant. But sometimes you read a book that reminds you that God is sovereignly orchestrating the entire universe, including book launches, because one is so perfectly timed that not even a publisher could have planned for the moment. That is true with Jay Kim’s new book, Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age. Neither Kim or his publisher could have predicted the COVID-19 outbreak and the disruption to the normal analog patterns of our churches. In a season of upheaval, Kim’s book is a refreshing reminder of how the church was designed by God and how its rhythms speak to a grander story of hope and witness to a world decidedly digital in our daily life.Kim serves as pastor of teaching and leadership at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, outside of Silicon Valley. He is able to see firsthand the influence that technology has on the church. Analog Church is written for ministry and lay leaders alike, calling readers to be purposeful about how we adopt and rely upon technology in our everyday practices and calls us to reexamine how dependent the people of God have become on digital tools that often function as a shallow substitute for real community. Kim helps dissect the motives behind our digital adoption and provides a compelling path forward in the digital age.Read More The RundownBoston Dynamics Starts Selling Spot Robot for $74,500 – Morning BrewOne of the internet’s most famous (or infamous) robots is officially going on sale. Yesterday, Boston Dynamics added Spot to its online storefront, making the four-legged robot available to any business that’s willing to cough up $74,500. Twitter starts rolling out audio tweets on iOS – The VergeTwitter is rolling out the ability to record audio snippets and attach them to your tweets. The new feature is available first on iOS and launching today for “a limited group of people,” according to the company.NBA restart plan includes using Oura rings to catch COVID-19 symptoms – EngadgetThe part that’s specifically interesting to us… is its proposed use of Oura’s smart rings. At least one study showed signs they can help detect COVID-19 symptoms early.Saving the elderly from coronavirus – AxiosCarePredict sells a wearable device called Tempo that tracks indoor location, pulse rate, blood-oxygen levels and more. Originally targeted as a way for caregivers and family members to monitor the physical and mental health of seniors, Tempo is now being used to tackle COVID-19, including contact tracing.

Imagine a society where a criminal could be tracked down almost immediately by police and taken into custody, all by using his face as identification. Or a world where you no longer need to carry your ID card, insurance information, or even your credit or debit cards because you could pay for your meal using facial recognition, as many do today in the eastern city of Hangzhou, China.While all this might sound futuristic and far-fetched, it’s already creating a stir in our society. Governments and businesses around the world are thinking through innovative uses of facial recognition technology and are entering into lively debates over its merits and downfalls. And its uses seem to grow more controversial each day.Read MoreFor more on the ethics of facial recognition, check out my latest book The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity or the recently released Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles from ERLC. The RundownIBM will no longer offer, develop, or research facial recognition technology – The VergeIBM will no longer offer general purpose facial recognition or analysis software, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said in a letter to Congress today. The company will also no longer develop or research the technology, IBM tells The Verge.Hawley calls for FTC inquiry into new TikTok rival – AxiosZynn, a rising TikTok-like service that pays its users, is drawing the attention of China hawk and Big Tech antagonist Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who wants the Federal Trade Commission to look into it.Schools Turn to Surveillance Tech to Prevent Covid-19 Spread – WiredWhen students return to school in New Albany, Ohio, in August, they’ll be carefully watched as they wander through red-brick buildings and across well-kept lawns—and not only by teachers.TikTok Plans D.C. Office Amid Lawmaker Pressure on Privacy – Bloomberg LawByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok is opening a Washington office later this year to share information about security practices as lawmakers question its protections for children’s privacy and its ties to China. 

By now, you’ve probably heard of the rapidly growing social media app called TikTok that is taking the United States and the world by storm. It’s hard to describe just how influential and far-reaching TikTok has become so quickly. In less than two years since it was released, it has been downloaded over 2 billion times. In just the last quarter, TikTok was downloaded 315 million times—the best quarter for any app, ever. However, many Americans don’t know exactly what it is or how it works. Here are five things you should know about this viral app and how it is changing the nature of social media.Read MoreThe RundownMicrosoft Lays Off News Editors – Morning BrewMicrosoft is automating part of its news service. The company laid off about 50 U.S. editors and news staffers, Business Insider reported Friday, and 27 U.K. contractors, The Guardian reported Saturday.The technology of witnessing brutality – AxiosFrom news photography to TV broadcasts to camcorders to smartphones, improvements in the technology of witness over the past century mean we’re more instantly and viscerally aware of each new injustice.Snap says it is no longer promoting Trump’s account, adding to social media backlash against president – The Washington PostSnapchat will no longer promote President Trump’s account in the “Discover” tab on the social media app, the company said Wednesday, after a week of showdowns between the president and social media companies.NASA astronauts just flew SpaceX’s Crew Dragon into orbit for the first time – MIT Technology ReviewNASA astronauts launched from US soil for the first time in nine years. And they did it on a private vehicle, for the first time in history.Chinese coronavirus test maker agreed to build a Xinjiang gene bank – AxiosA leading Chinese gene sequencing and biomedical firm that said it would build a gene bank in Xinjiang is supplying coronavirus tests around the world.