Part 1

To me, the mission of the Center for Humane Technology (CHT) is about helping people see both the good and bad sides of technology. They want to make people more aware of how tech can make life easier and can be harmful if we’re not careful. CHT looks at what’s happening with modern technology today and pushes for more responsible use.

I agree with their vision because I don’t think technology is always a good thing. Apps like TikTok, for example, are super addictive with the endless scrolling and how they keep feeding you content to keep you hooked. It gives people constant dopamine hits and really messes with our psychology. I think it’s essential that CHT calls this out and encourages people to be more mindful about how they use technology.

Part 2

 Yes, I think CHT is right in its analysis of social media. Social media was created to help people stay connected, no matter where they were. But over time, it’s settled into something different—it’s not heavily focused on sharing opinions, and nonstop entertainment. Apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels are designed to keep users hooked, constantly delivering dopamine through endless scrolling and highly engaging content. CHT’s session was about how the brain didn’t use social media. I’ve experienced how addictive it can be.

As for whether social media has changed in the last year, I don’t think there’s a significant transformation between 2024 and 2025. The fundamental shift has happened over an extended period, from its original purpose to what it is now. That said, one of the most noticeable changes recently is the rise of AI in social media. Since late 2023 and into 2024, it has been used more for marketing and entertainment content. It played a role in how algorithms recommend content to users, making feeds even more personalized—and sometimes more addictive.

Part 3

Like their previous In lighLightnts, I think CHT does a good job explaining how AI was created to help people—whether it’s bit-skilling tait makes it-skillingcatiimprovespporting human supports overall. They also show how AI can harm us if it’s misused. I have been in the mainstream; we’ve seen many examples of things misused.

The problematic area CHT discusses is how AI-generated content can look like a real person made it. I think this is one of the most serious issues. With so much AI content being produced now, it’s bit’sing harder to tell what’swhat’sand what isn’t.isn’tree with CHT that being able to tell the difference is important—because if we can’t, can’tpens the door to manipulation. People could be misled or even scammed, and that can damage trust not only in the content we see online but also in our personal relationships. In extreme cases, it could put someone in a financial or psychological situation they might not recover from.

Part 4

The podcast episode on rogue AI wasn’t surprising. I’ve examples on the likes of TikTok. One that stood out was an attempt to Slackmail someone just to avoid being shut down. That alone shows how real this issue is becoming.

I agree that AI has the potential to—and, in my opinion, will eventually- go beyond human control. As the video mentioned, humans create AI, and human nature is built around survival. So, if we’re creating something in our own image, it’s unlikely that AI will have the same survival instinct.

What stood out to me is how dangerous AI can be when it has access to unlimited knowledge. It could use that information to manipulate people, turn people against each other, or do whatever it takes to avoid being shut down. If its main goal becomes self-preservation, it will likely use every tool to achieve that, whether we intended it to or not.

Part 5

On the positive side, technology makes workers more efficient. It can cut down on paperwork, make scheduling easier, and allow for quicker communication with clients—whether through video calls or messaging platforms. It also opens up new ways to teach clients essential life skills and access helpful resources, especially for those who cannot attend in-person sessions.

On the negative side, there’s a risk of social workers becoming too dependent on technology. If there were a power outage or a system failure, it could make it harder for them to do their jobs effectively. Also, relying too much on virtual communication could take away from the value of face-to-face interaction, which is often crucial in building trust with clients. Another concern is client confidentiality. Technology brings new challenges regarding protecting sensitive information and staying compliant with laws like HIPAA. Social workers have to be extra careful when using digital tools to make sure client privacy is protected.