Topic of the Week

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed the consequences that the AI training models have on the environment, and, while the costs are real, it’s just as important to ask: what can we do about it?The reality is uncomfortable: our digital lives come with a rising environmental footprint. Every streamed video, email, or notification consumes electricity. The boom in AI-powered tools adds a new layer, embedding energy-hungry processes into daily routines and placing more strain on the infrastructure that powers them.

When you were a kid/young teenager did you and your friends ever find yourself bored and think “hey, why don’t we go ding dong ditch some neighbors?” In some ways, life was much more simple back then, but now things have changed. The kids can no longer ding dong ditch thanks to Ring, the digital doorbell. These doorbells offer a camera option that records when someone rings the doorbell, or even when there is movement detected in its vicinity.

We live in a world surrounded by two opposing forces: the urgent call to protect our planet, and the irresistible pull of new technology. On one hand, we recycle our glass bottles, install solar panels, and swap plastic straws for reusable ones. On the other, we crave the latest smartphones, appliances that work on their own, and cars that can drive themselves.

As a faculty or staff member at the University of Maryland, you likely have heard about the data classification levels. This is something that is spoken about most commonly when someone is dealing with sensitive data, such as a Social Security Number. These data classification levels are also relevant to what systems are being used, such as Google Drive or Box. If you aren’t familiar with the data classification standard here at UMD, then this article is for you.Let's break things down…

Modern cars, especially those made in the last five years, are like smartphones on wheels. With built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and internet-connected features, they offer conveniences like streaming music, hands-free calling, real-time traffic updates, and more. But these same features also collect massive amounts of personal data, from driving habits and locations to contacts and messages.

By now, we have all heard about a particular public incident involving a Coldplay concert, a KissCam, and the CEO and HR Director of tech company Astronomer. This incident exploded on social media due to the abnormal response from the individuals caught on the kiss cam, along with the discovery of their professional connection and exposed affair. Public exposure like this tends to raise the question of “what should my expectations of privacy be, if I am in public?” Today we are going to explain what your expectation should be, and its legal backing.