fizaceid100

[fizaceid100]

Final Project for CEID 100

By: Hamza Abas, Fiza Ijaz, Nikola Basic

[fizaceid100]

Open Letter: Creating a More Positive Digital Future for All

As we look to a world growing molded by new innovations like blockchain, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT), we have an obligation to ask: how can we make sure these tools lead us to a better, fairer digital future?

Over the past 10 weeks, I've learned that, while digital innovation may empower individuals, it can also exclude, exploit, or mislead. Dr. Safiya Noble's discussion of algorithmic bias evokes us that the structures we build often reflect the inequalities of the world around us, so we must take this seriously. As we build faster networks and smarter cities, fairness and inclusion cannot be afterthoughts; they must be built in from the beginning.

Additionally, digital identity is changing. Blockchain offers us the opportunity to establish safe, decentralized identities that empower individuals, not businesses, to manage their own data. However, authority also carries accountability, thus openness, permission, and accessibility must be fundamental.

Another urgent problem in today's world is the quick spread of misinformation. 5G will speed up our connections, but it also makes it possible for misleading information to spread more swiftly than before. Media literacy and intelligent, transparent AI moderation systems must therefore advance in unison with these advances in technology.

Let's make effective use of site analytics as well. Rather than only monitoring conversions, we can utilize behavior analysis to enhance digital inclusion, accessibility, and user experience—making technology more useful for everyone, instead of just the ideal client.

Last but not least, we need to preserve the innovative spirit in terms of ideals as well as speed and design. Let's create for mutual benefit, equity, and sustainability. The potential of emerging technology is enormous, but it's only possible when we intentionally mold it.

The digital future has not yet been written. Together, let's write it with compassion, morality, and bravery.

Regards, A student, a digital citizen, and a supporter of improved technology.

[fizaceid100]

Module 10

Not my proudest moment to admit out loud that it took me a while to get all the mini games right in the course. But at the end of the day, I did score mostly perfect on every quiz and game, and gained some sort of skill nonetheless.

[fizaceid100]

Module 9 - Ghost in the Machine

Beauty, Personalized: How AI Is Redefining the Makeup Game

As CTO of CEIDBeauty, I’ve seen how technology can completely transform the way we approach beauty, especially for people who’ve never felt truly seen by mainstream brands.

Our goal? To help people find makeup that actually works for their unique skin tone, texture, and preferences. That might sound simple, but anyone who’s ever bought the wrong foundation shade knows that it’s not. With popular brands charging an arm and a leg for most of their mainstream products, it is difficult for the average person to find a formula that works for them along with giving a bang for their buck.

Using AI and computer vision, we’ve built a tool that analyzes a user’s face through their phone camera and suggests perfectly matched products. No more guessing or awkward lighting. The AI is trained with machine learning on thousands of diverse faces with difference in features, texture, undertones etc. And with real user reviews, it keeps getting better every time someone uses it.

But it doesn’t stop there. With Big Data, we’re analyzing patterns in skin types, seasonal needs, and even climate impacts (yes, humidity matters!). That helps us guide users not just to the right shade, but to the right formula whether they’re in dry winter air or tropical summer heat.

Most importantly, we’re building this with inclusivity and privacy in mind. No selling personal data, no biased models. Just smart beauty that adapts to real people.

For us, AI isn’t about replacing creativity. It’s about enhancing confidence.

[fizaceid100]

Module 8 Innovation Factors

Open this graphic in Venngage to view.

[fizaceid100]

Nova Cybersecurity Lab Game

Playing the Nova Cybersecurity Lab Game was an fun experience that reinforced key cybersecurity concepts from the course. It took me quite a while to clear the level. One major takeaway was the importance of phishing awareness. The game highlighted how cybercriminals manipulate emotions—urgency, excitement, or fear—to trick people into clicking malicious links. This connects to our discussions on social engineering, where attackers exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities.

Another concept reinforced was password security. The game emphasized the risks of weak passwords and reusing credentials across platforms. This ties into the principle of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and using unique, complex passwords to enhance security. It reminded me how easily one compromised account can lead to multiple breaches.

Lastly, the game demonstrated the role of encryption in data protection. Encrypting sensitive information prevents unauthorized access, reinforcing the importance of end-to-end encryption in online communications. This directly relates to our discussions on data privacy and how companies must secure user information against cyber threats.

Overall, the game provided a hands-on way to apply these cybersecurity principles, making it clear that small, proactive steps—like verifying sources, strengthening passwords, and enabling encryption—can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.

[fizaceid100]

Mod 5: Disinformation, Misinformation and Mal-information. 

MISINFORMATION:

The Natural News blog post on COVID vaccine shedding aligns with misinformation as defined in Module 5. It lacks scientific verification, citing no peer-reviewed studies or expert sources. The sensationalist language promotes fear-mongering, reinforcing confirmation bias. It thrives in echo chambers, where social media algorithms amplify misleading content. Without counterarguments or balanced perspectives, it fails journalistic and scientific standards. To counter misinformation, the module emphasizes fact-checking, source verification, and awareness of filter bubbles that reinforce misleading narratives. Readers should critically assess sources and seek expert-backed information from credible health organizations like the WHO or CDC.

DISINFORMATION:

The article titled "Anti-Americanism at Best, Dual Nationalism at Worst. America in 2024" from Intelligencer exemplifies disinformation. It presents a misleading narrative by suggesting that U.S. border security is compromised due to foreign aid allocations, without providing credible evidence or context. The piece employs emotionally charged language to evoke fear and distrust, lacks citations from reputable sources, and omits pertinent information about standard legislative processes. Readers should critically assess such content by cross-referencing with authoritative news outlets and official government statements to discern factual accuracy.

MAL -INFORMATION:

The 2016 DNC email leak is a clear example of mal-information, where true information was weaponized to cause harm. Emails were illicitly obtained and selectively released, aiming to damage reputations and manipulate public perception. While the emails were authentic, their exposure without context fueled misleading narratives and political polarization. This aligns with mal-information’s intentional misuse of factual content to undermine trust and sow discord. Readers should assess motive, context, and source credibility when encountering such content. Ethical journalism verifies intent behind leaked materials rather than exploiting private information for strategic deception.

[fizaceid100]

Cloud Computing & Modern Workspaces

[fizaceid100]

Who’s Watching? A Deep Dive into Online Trackers with Disconnect

I visited 8 websites under specific categories with the 'Disconnect' Chrome extension to see what trackers were enabled when I visited the site. The categories and links of the websites are:

Civic or Non-Commercial Websites:

City of Mississauga Official Website

Peel Region Public Health

E-Commerce Websites:

Amazon Canada

Best Buy Canada

News Websites:

CBC News

The Globe and Mail

Social Media Websites:

Facebook

Twitter

To no surprise at all and as I predicted, the website that raised the most alarms on the Disconnect Chrome extension was Amazon, as shown in the screenshots below.

With 38 advertising requests, it took the lead over any other website I had visited - none of which exceeded 7 requests.

[fizaceid100]

Web Page Analysis

Click the link to view annotations on Web Pages - Design, Access, and Accommodation.

[fizaceid100]

Evaluating Social Media Posts Through the Lens of Best Practices

Social media posts are windows into the effectiveness of communication strategies, and their success often hinges on following best practices like visual engagement, interactivity, and authenticity. Below, I analyze two social media posts and evaluate how they align with or deviate from these principles.

Post 1: NHL’s “Battle of NY” Tweet

The NHL’s post about the “Battle of NY” effectively utilizes several social media best practices:

Visual Appeal: The inclusion of vibrant images of players in their jerseys immediately grabs attention. This aligns with the principle that visual content performs better in engaging users.

Timely Content: Promoting an upcoming game builds anticipation, making the content both relevant and actionable.

Interactive Hashtags: By using hashtags like #StadiumSeries, the post encourages user engagement and enhances discoverability.

However, it could have included a direct link to purchase tickets or watch the game, enhancing the infrastructure of the post by providing a seamless user experience.

Post 2: Disney Studios Canada’s Instagram Poll

This fun “This or That” post promotes the upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King movie:

Engaging Content: Interactive posts like polls invite users to share their opinions, increasing engagement. The use of vivid colors and iconic characters adds to the post’s appeal.

Promotional Tie-In: By linking the poll to the movie release, Disney successfully connects entertainment with a clear marketing message.

However, the post could have included a story highlight or carousel explaining the characters for users unfamiliar with them. This addition would bridge potential gaps in audience knowledge, enhancing the inclusivity of the post.

These posts exemplify how leveraging best practices in visual content, responsiveness, and interactivity can create impactful social media communications. Together, these examples underscore the importance of aligning content with audience needs and strategic goals. What’s your take on these posts?

Share your thoughts below or tweet your insights with #SocialMediaBestPractices!