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Introduction to Computer Science

Labs

Introduction to Computer ScienceLabs

Labs

1 .
Explore the Parable of the Polygons. How does computer science contribute to the simulation? What does the simulation suggest is needed in the world? What are the limitations of the simulation as a model of the much more complicated real world?
2 .
Explore the Anatomy of an AI System that breaks down the “human, labor, data and planetary resources” behind an Amazon Echo device. What parts surprised you? Based on your understanding of computer science, what parts are emphasized in the public conscience? What parts are downplayed or minimized? Then, select one surprising aspect and investigate it further.
3 .
Explore DALL-E, a very large neural network created by OpenAI “that creates images from text captions for a wide range of concepts expressible in natural language.” If the neural network is learning from English language images and captions on the Internet, what are some of the social risks of this system? How might it encode problematic ideas about marginalized people in society?
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© Oct 29, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.