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IB DP: Digital Society: Content

3.1 Data 

There are many types, uses and ways of representing data. Big data and data analytics involve extracting and processing useful information in ways that are often impossible for humans. There are significant opportunities and dilemmas associated with data in digital society.

  • 3.1A Data as distinct from information, knowledge and wisdom ~ Data, information, knowledge and wisdom (DIKW) pyramid

  • 3.1B Types of data ~ (a) Quantitative and qualitative, (b) Cultural, financial, geographical, medical, meteorological, transport, scientific, statistical and (c) Metadata

  • 3.1C Uses of data ~ (a) Identify trends, patterns, connections and relationships between different items and (b) Collect and organize measurable facts about people and communities

  • 3.1D Data life cycle ~ Create/collect/extract, store, process, analyse, access, preserve, reuse

  • 3.1E Ways to collect and organize data ~ (a) Primary and secondary data collection, (b) Databases organize and structure collections of data so that they are accessible, manageable and capable of being updated and (c) Data classifications and relationships

  • 3.1F Ways of representing data ~ Charts, tables, reports, infographics, visualizations

  • 3.1G Data security ~ (a)  Encryption, data masking, data erasure and (b) Blockchain

  • 3.1H Characteristics and uses of big data and data analytics ~ (a) Characteristics: volume, variety, velocity, veracity and (b) Uses: Predictive analysis, modelling, understanding past, current and future human behaviour

  • 3.1I Data dilemmas ~ (a) Data bias, reliability and integrity (b) Control, ownership and access to data and (c) Data privacy, anonymity and surveillance, personally identifiable information

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3.2 Algorithms

Algorithms are defined sequential steps or instructions to solve a specific problem or perform a task. The effectiveness of an algorithm is often evaluated according to its efficiency. The use of algorithms poses significant opportunities and dilemmas in digital society.

  •  3.2A Characteristics of an algorithm ~ Unambiguous, finite, well-defined inputs and outputs, feasible

  • 3.2B Components of an algorithm ~ Instructions, variables, conditionals, loops

  • 3.2C Ways of representing algorithms ~ Natural language, flow chart, code, programming languages

  • 3.2D Uses of algorithms ~ (a) Sorting, searching, filtering, prioritizing, classifying, associating, counting, (b) Programming, software development and implementation, (c) Machine learning, neural networks and in the creation of other algorithms

  • 3.2E Algorithmic dilemmas ~ (a) Algorithmic bias and fairness, (b) Algorithmic accountability and transparency, black box algorithms and (c) Erosion and/or loss of human judgment

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3.3 Computers

 A computer is a machine that automatically executes sets of instructions to perform specific tasks. Computers have evolved over time and are increasingly ubiquitous in the everyday life of people and communities.

  • 3.3A Types of computers ~ Mainframe, server, personal computer, tablet, smart/ mobile device, wearable computers and devices

  • 3.3B Components of a computer ~ (a) Hardware: Motherboard, central processing unit, memory, storage, graphics and sound components, power supply, input and output devices, sensors (b) Interfaces: User interfaces, such as graphic and haptic and (c) Software: Operating system software, software applications, apps and malicious software

  • 3.3C Uses and forms of computer coding ~ Computer coding and programming uses specific languages and rules to communicate instructions to computers

  • 3.3D Evolution of computing ~ (a) Generations in computing, for example, first to fifth generations of computing, (b) Moore’s law (c) Emerging areas of computing, such as quantum computing

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3.4 Networks & the Internet

Networks connect computers, people and communities allowing data and information to be created, accessed and shared in a distributed manner. Networks and the internet are defining features of digital society that have evolved over time. Networks and the internet involve significant opportunities and dilemmas for life in digital society.

  • 3.4A Types of computing networks: (a) Wired, wireless, cloud (b) Personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN) (c) Client-server, peer-2-peer (P2P)

  • 3.4B Components of computing networks (a) Client, server, modem, router, switch, hub, channels, network interface

  • 3.4C Characteristics of computing networks (a) Standards and protocols - Interoperability, domain names, addresses (b) Security - Identification, authentication, encryption & Firewall, proxy server, virtual private network (VPN), security layers (c) Capacity - Bandwidth, data compression, net neutrality (d) Infrastructure - Internet backbone

  • 3.4D Computing network providers and services (a) Providers - Internet service provider (b) Services - Chat, texting, email, file sharing, VOIP, online messaging, hosting, video conferencing

  • 3.4E The world wide web (a) As distinct from the internet (b) URL, HTTP, browser (c) The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

  • 3.4F Evolution of the internet and the web (a) Innovators and innovations in the early development of the internet and web (b) Rise of online social media platforms (c) Internet of things and ubiquitous networking

  • 3.4G Internet dilemmas (a) Privacy, anonymity and surveillance, the right to be forgotten, spyware, identity theft (b) Cybercrime, hacking, viruses, spam, social
    engineering, ransomware, denial of service, dark web, trolling

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3.5 Media

Digital media are defined by the convergence of computing, communication and content. Digital media are created and distributed through multiple channels and platforms. Digital media are associated with significant opportunities and dilemmas in digital society.

  • 3.5A Types of digital media ~ (a) Text, images, audio, animations, video, web pages, (b) Gaming and e-sports, (c) Blogs, vlogs, podcasts, vodcasting and live streaming, hashtags, memes, wikis, streaming media, (d) User-generated content, and (e) Synthetic digital media, such as artificial intelligence (AI)-generated media and deepfakes

  • 3.5B Characteristics of digital media ~ Rapid sharing, efficient storage, interactive, linear and non-linear content, convergence (of media forms and layers)

  • 3.5C Immersive digital media ~ Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) and X reality (XR) technologies

  • 3.5D Digital media dilemmas ~ (a) Addiction and other psychological concerns, (b) Impact on journalism, for example, fragmentation and consolidation in the media industry, (c) Media authenticity, sourcing and deepfakes, (c) Ownership, copyright, copyleft, Creative Commons, open source, remix culture, (d) Media obsolescence and digital preservation, and (e) Censorship, content filters, moral panics, decency standards, offensive speech, objectionable content

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3.6 Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) involves agents, devices or systems that adapt to perform tasks (or appear to do so) that once required the cognitive and creative processes of human beings. There are several types of existing, emerging or proposed AI. These categories frequently overlap or are contested. AI has evolved over time and introduces significant opportunities and dilemmas in digital society.

  • 3.6A Types of AI

  • 3.6B Types and uses of machine learning

  • 3.6C Uses of artificial neural networks

  • 3.6D Evolution of AI

  • 3.6E AI dilemmas ~ (a) Fairness and bias in design and use, (b) Accountability in design and use, (c) Transparency in design and use, (d) Uneven and underdeveloped laws, regulations and governance and (e) Automation and displacement of humans in multiple contexts and roles

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3.7 Robots & Autonomous Technologies

Robots and autonomous technologies demonstrate a capacity to sense, think and/or act with some degree of independence. Robots and autonomous technologies have evolved over time and are increasingly ubiquitous, pervasive and woven into the everyday lives of people and communities. Robots and autonomous technologies introduce significant opportunities and dilemmas in digital society.

  • 3.7A Types of robots and autonomous technologies ~ (a) Robots: Industrial and productivity robots, service robots, social robots and (b) Autonomous technologies: Internet of things, autonomous vehicles, drones, virtual assistants

  • 3.7B Characteristics of robots and autonomous technologies ~ (a) Sensory inputs for spatial, environmental and operational awareness, (b) The ability to logically reason with inputs, often using machine vision and/or machine learning, (c) The ability to interact and move in physical environments, sometimes remotely and (d) The demonstration of some degree of autonomy

  • 3.7C Evolution of robots and autonomous technologies ~ (a) Early forms of robots and autonomous technology, (b) Robots in science fiction and philosophy, (c) Use in industry and manufacturing, (d) Expanding interactions with human users and (e) Machine consciousness, cognitive robotics and robot rights

  • 3.7D Robots and autonomous technology dilemmas ~ (a) Anthropomorphism and the uncanny valley, (b) Complexity of human and environmental interactions, (c) Uneven and underdeveloped laws, regulations and governance and (d) Displacement of humans in multiple contexts and roles

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