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2021-03-25

Selected Outstanding Essays (Excerpts) From Students of GSS 2020 (4)

Challenges and Opportunities in the Post-COVID-19-World

Soo Yu Rou, Malaysian

 Key problem identified in Theme 5 Artificial intelligence application and governance

In my opinion, the problem is that AI’s development is facing obstacles. AI has become the most fundamental technologies in the 21st century. One of the very important impacts of AI is alienation, which AI can make decisions for human. However, it may bring challenges to our society which some people will concern about it. For example, the denial of consequential service, infringement of rights and physical or emotional harms. Elon and Pew surveyed nearly 1,000 leading technologists about the wide-ranging impact of artificial intelligence on the quality of life of individuals, 63% of respondents in this canvassing said they are hopeful that most individuals will be mostly better off in 2030, and 37% said people will not be better off (Pew Research Center 4). Therefore, some people will not be willing to adopt the AI technology. It is important because AI can make a dramatic change in our lives. When people are concern about its privacy problem, particularly on the human right dispute, they will deny to use it. The AI’s application is impeded so the research and study will be in the same situation. I suggest that we must have strong and strictly prohibited governance framework for this unique and powerful technology. Those big companies such as Microsoft who develop the AI should bear the responsibility to solve the issues. The use of personal information should be administered by the government or the company carefully. The government needs to launch new policies and laws quickly as the AI is being used recently. Before using AI in a certain field such as autonomous driving system, it might be tested repeatedly and ensure safety. AI can assist the human’s activities in today world, but it acquires more time to be developed.

                    Key problem identified in Theme 8 Future‐oriented leadership

The problem is the lack of cooperation between countries to cope with COVID-19 outbreak. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, there has been an ugly blame game. Some countries blame China for spreading the virus, however, it’s as blaming the first victim of the wave of the pandemic. It’s ridiculous and useless. China has responded quickly to halt the spread of the virus. The countries who blame China for the pandemic are passing the buck irresponsibly. Every country is hurt by the economic crisis unleashed by the pandemic. It’s important to me because the blame game delays the necessary global respond. It only exacerbates the situation and hinders cooperation between countries. I propose to solve the problem by introducing new leadership in the pandemic. Leadership is contextual, it is different in wartime and peacetime. In the post-pandemic era, we need leaders with forward-looking that could envision the future and have a stable plan together. Commitment needs to be affirmed by countries for the post-pandemic era. Transparency and credibility are important to build trust within leaders so that once vaccines are available, we can distribute it rapidly. Then, with better leadership, we can strengthen the relationship between countries and increasing cooperation. For example, China and Africa have a constant and stable relationship. China has help Africa to minimize the spread in Africa. Therefore, we can help those countries who struggle with the medical shortage by sending them medical supplies and volunteers. Countries like China could share their experience and expertise from their practice in confronting the pandemic and developing the vaccines.

 Key problem identified in Theme 9 Globalization and global governance cooperation

Digital globalization brings challenges to several perspectives which include economy, culture, human rights, privacy. The popularity of online commerce causes the shrinking of the local market. For example, in the sports industry, people are now watching football match online instead of going to the real stadium. Therefore, sales of tickets are lower. All physical markets are facing the same problems. Secondly, people can watch movies or enjoy music around the world, so that regional art and cultural performance might be swallowed. Besides, we have to find balance within the privacy of personal data and the development of big data. Discrimination may appear while big data analyses and judges us from our income, education level and some else. It’s is important to me because as a teen in the 21st century, we can’t avoid or deny the trend of digital globalization. I will have to deal with these challenges in my life. It also affects all of the offline merchants, which will gain deficit in their trade. Traditional performance is a precious part of our intangible cultural, it is invaluable. Furthermore, I want to protect my privacy but also benefit from the development of big data. Discrimination may cause someone to lose his reputations and has difficulty with social activity or even destroy the peace of society. We bear responsibilities to cope with these challenges. In my view, offline sellers are supposed to try the online platform, launching business on both sides. Promotion should be held to stimulate people to take attention to their regional culture, sharing it globally. There should be protection and respect on our privacy, like asking for permission before using the data. Lastly, make the best use of big data then it may not transform into privacy and human right problem.