C1 Discussion Questions: Information & New Technologies
Digital Privacy & Data Protection
1. Do you express your strong disapproval of how tech companies handle personal data, or do you accept it as the consequence of using free services? What assurances should companies provide to users?
2. Is there a notable discrepancy between what users think they're sharing online and what companies actually collect? Who should take responsibility for educating the public about digital privacy?
3. What's your contention regarding government surveillance programmes? Can we reach a consensus on balancing national security with individual privacy rights?
Social Media & Online Communication
4. Has there been a downturn in the quality of public discourse since the proliferation of social media platforms? What represents the biggest impediment to constructive online dialogue?
5. Do you think the inadequacy of content moderation policies has serious ramifications for democracy? What would be your proposal for addressing misinformation without compromising free speech?
6. Some people conceal their disappointment about how social media has affected their relationships. Is there the viability of returning to more meaningful, offline connections in our digital age?
Artificial Intelligence & Automation
7. What's the importance of establishing ethical guidelines for AI development now, before the technology becomes more advanced? Is our current adherence to responsible innovation principles sufficient?
8. Do you believe companies' failure to consider the social impact of automation represents negligence? Should there be greater commitment to retraining displaced workers?
Digital Literacy & Education
9. Has there been a considerable improvement in digital literacy education, or are we still failing to prepare people adequately? What's your suggestion for integrating technology skills into curricula?
10. Do you express your dissatisfaction with the current state of online education? Is there a notable discrepancy between the promise of e-learning and its actual effectiveness?
11. What are the ramifications of the digital divide for social equality? Should internet access be considered a basic right, and who should take responsibility for ensuring universal access?
Misinformation & News Credibility
12. Given the prevalence of fake news, how can individuals develop better critical thinking skills? Is the simplicity of fact-checking tools enough to combat misinformation?
13. Do you think there's been a reduction in trust in traditional media outlets? What's the consequence of this erosion of institutional credibility for society?
14. Some argue that platform negligence in addressing misinformation has contributed to political polarisation. Do you agree with this assertion? What's the prospect of effectively regulating content without censorship?
Technology Addiction & Mental Health
15. Is there sufficient awareness of how technology affects mental health, particularly amongst young people? What would be your request to tech companies regarding addictive design features?
16. Do you express your strong disapproval of social media algorithms that prioritise engagement over wellbeing? What are the ramifications of the attention economy for human psychology?
17. Has there been a considerable improvement in how we discuss technology addiction, or is there still stigma preventing people from expressing their inability to disconnect?
Cybersecurity & Digital Threats
18. What's the importance of cybersecurity literacy in the modern world? Should individuals take responsibility for their own online security, or is this primarily a corporate and governmental duty?
19. Is there a notable discrepancy between the sophistication of cyber threats and the average person's ability to protect themselves? What represents the biggest impediment to better security practices?
Remote Work & Digital Transformation
20. Has the shift to remote work resulted in a considerable improvement in work-life balance, or has it created new problems? Is there the viability of fully remote work for most industries long-term?
Big Tech & Market Power
21. Should we express our strong disapproval of tech monopolies, or are they the consequence of natural market forces? What's your proposal for addressing concerns about market concentration?
22. What are the ramifications of a few companies controlling so much of our digital infrastructure?
Sample Answer
Question:
There's ongoing contention about whether artificial intelligence represents the prospect of unprecedented progress or poses existential risks. Where do you stand on this debate?
Sample Answer:
I believe this debate suffers from a lack of compatibility between the two extremes being presented. Rather than viewing AI as purely beneficial or catastrophic, I think we need to reach a consensus on a more nuanced position that acknowledges both the (1)____________ (VIABLE) of transformative benefits and the legitimate concerns about potential harms.
On one hand, I can't express my strong (2)__________ (APPROVE) of the optimistic view entirely, because there's already been a considerable (3)_____________ (IMPROVE) in healthcare diagnostics, scientific research, and accessibility tools thanks to AI. The importance of these advances shouldn't be (4)______________ (STATE)—they represent genuine progress in addressing human challenges. However, my main contention with unbridled techno-optimism is its failure to adequately address the immediate risks we're already witnessing, such as the proliferation of deepfakes and (5)_____________ (INFORM).
What truly causes me to express my (6)_______________ (SATISFY) with the current trajectory is the (7)_____________ (ADEQUATE) of existing regulatory frameworks. There's a notable discrepancy between the pace of AI development and our governmental adherence to safety protocols. This represents a significant impediment to responsible innovation. The (8)________________ (NEGLECT) shown by some tech companies in rushing products to market without sufficient testing has serious ramifications—we're already seeing consequences of biased algorithms in hiring, lending, and criminal justice.
My proposal would be to establish international standards that ensure (9)______________ (COMMITTED) to ethical AI development without stifling innovation entirely. This isn't just a suggestion; it's an urgent request for coordinated action. We need assurances from developers that they're taking responsibility for the systems they create, including their inability to predict all outcomes.
Rather than conceal our disappointment about AI's shortcomings or deny the prospect of its benefits, we should maintain (10)_____________ (AWARE) of both possibilities. The simplicity of framing this as a binary choice—progress versus doom—lacks originality and prevents productive dialogue. The real challenge is managing the fluctuation in public opinion while building robust safeguards that don't result in a downturn in innovation. Ultimately, the (11)_____________ (PREVAIL) of fear-mongering on both sides only creates embarrassment for serious researchers trying to navigate this complex terrain responsibly.
KEY
1. viability
2. disapproval
3. improvement
4. understated (underestimated)
5. misinformation
6. dissatisfaction
7. inadequacy
8. negligence
9. COMMITMENT
10. awareness
11. prevalence
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