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Posts published in “Technology”

A Double-Edged Sword

By editorialteam on October 21, 2023

Balancing the Benefits and Ethical Dilemmas of AI

By Kent Yang | Observer Contributor

Artificial Intelligence and applications of AI, such as Machine Learning, have ushered in a new era of technological advancement, transforming industries and enhancing our daily lives. However, this enhancement also comes with an ethical double-edged sword. While AI offers tremendous benefits, it also raises ethical concerns that demand thoughtful consideration.

AI technologies offer the potential to revolutionize the workplace by automating tasks, thereby enhancing efficiency, productivity, and reducing on-the-job injuries. However, this advancement also brings forth concerns related to job displacement. According to a report from the World Economic Forum, by the year 2025, AI may lead to the displacement of approximately 85 million jobs. But it’s also expected to create 97 million new roles as well, which perfectly illustrates the double-edged nature of AI’s impact on employment. read more

Is It “Bye-Bye” for WiFi?

By editorialteam on November 7, 2019

By Daniela Perez
Observer Contributor

When it comes to submitting online assignments, having reliable access to the internet is essential for college students.

Many areas on the Gardner campus have little to no cellular signal and in most parts of the school the WiFi can be slow or may not connect at all.

One of the places on campus that rarely has any signal is the basement of the school where Media Arts and Technology labs are held and where MRT students work on projects. The MRT computers are always offline and students have a difficult time connecting to the internet through their own laptops or cellphones. read more

Living for Learning: Total Immersion EducationAnother Anime Convention

Living for Learning: Total Immersion Education

By editorialteam on November 10, 2016

By Joshua Needham

For three days during October, something strange happens at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH. People from all over the country gather to share their love of anime, video games, and pop culture. Colorful costumes and home-made props fill the halls and courtyard for nearly a full 72 hours and it is clear, Another Anime Convention (AAC) is back in town.

When people outside of that culture think of such events, they likely think of the socially inept gathering to discuss Star Trek, individuals dressed as their favorite characters and roleplaying their favorite scenes with one another. What they may not think about is the professionals that make the journey to attend the gatherings.

Many major conventions are centered around media, such as AAC and Anime Boston, can be split into two main attractions: entertainment and education. A ticket to attend grants access to many spaces for entertainment, such as the Dealer’s Room, a space where industry dealers can sell their merchandise directly to the fans; Artist’s Alley, where independent artists are able to sell their art work and share their creative visions; and convention panels, where a lot of the main focus lies.

Panels at conventions serve as small classrooms where guests can learn skills and traits of the professionals in the media industry. From game developers to music composers, filmmakers to animators and professional prop designers, the people making a living in the media industry are there to guide those that want to break the mold of the mundane.

Learning isn’t just something that we do to attain a degree and, in turn, a job that pays well enough to be worth the student loans. Education is on-going and events such as these can really help to make the learning process both more entertaining, and easier to understand. Reading something from a text book may help understand how something is done, but there’s nothing like being able to learn from and ask questions directly with someone that’s been in the line of work you aspire to be in.

Anime conventions such as these can be a great resource for students in the media arts fields, but they’re far from the only conventions around. With a little bit of searching, all types of conventions can be found for nearly every career desire. Not only does attending conventions offer new opportunities for learning, it can also be a great chance to network with others in your industry, and it’s a great way to immerse yourself in your subject matter.

Battlefield 1 Game Review

Battlefield 1 Game Review

By editorialteam on November 8, 2016

By Nicholas Velillari

Battlefield 1 is the new first person shooter released by EA and Dice and is the sequel/prequel to Battlefield 4. With most shooters sticking with a futuristic/modern setting, BF1 is going back in time, focusing on World War 1.

The draw to Battlefield games is their multiplayer and in BF1 the multiplayer is the best it’s been since Battlefield 3. At launch, there are six modes to play: Conquest, Rush, Team Deathmatch, Domination, and two new modes called War Pigeons and Operations.

Conquest is still the classic 64 player mode, but with a new points system implemented along with killing the enemy team. Domination is good for 32 player combat for those looking to steer clear of 64 players. Rush is still a decent attack/defend struggle, but it’s been limited to 24 players. Not only that, but it’s overshadowed by the new game mode, Operations.

Operations is a 40-64 player mode that pits an attacking team against a defending team. The attackers have to capture zones and push the defenders across the map. If they succeed, the game then switches to another map where they have to attack again. If the defenders can’t hold out on the 2-3 map sets, then they lose. However, the attackers have 3 battalions (150 reinforcements each) to attack. The game mode is extremely addictive and it actually feels like you’re in a warzone.

The map design is also unique and diverse. They range from Sinai Desert, a massive middle-eastern location featuring sand dunes and central village, to Argonne Forest, a small infantry focused map littered with trenches. Each map has a well designed shape of pathing and it’s very refreshing. Much better than the symmetrical shape that BF4 maps relied on.

BF1 features a single player campaign; however, it’s presented as an anthology of war stories that you can play in whichever order you chose. The stories are centered around the struggle of soldiers’ emotions and how they experience the war. The two strongest are “Through Mud and Blood”, a story of a dysfunctional tank crew learning to overcome their differences, and “Friends in High Places”, a tale of two pilots fighting over the frontlines in France.

The other stories don’t pack the emotional heft, particularly “Avanti Savoia!” It’s only two missions long and feels like a dull shooting gallery. But there is replayability with the first two stories for those looking for a fun single player experience.

Overall, Battlefield 1 is a multiplayer shooter first, and a campaign second. The WW1 theme is spot on and the graphics and sound quality are the best they’ve ever been. A must play for fans of the series.

 

Score: 9.5 out of 10

Pros: Fantastic multiplayer, amazing visuals and sound quality.

Cons: Single player falls flat at certain missions.