After four months of exploring the ever-changing cyber world at the Citizen Lab, I circled back to one of my earliest memories of growing up in Toronto, reflecting on the old and new. As I made my way to our lab lunch, I heard the sound of an erhu, a traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed instrument, echoing in the streets of Spadina Ave. Every Summer, after visiting the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), my parents would take me to this Chinatown staple for a late dinner. I would order my favourite, beef chow fun, or my family’s nickname for it in Vietnamese, phở xào (directly translates to stir-fried pho). As I passed multiple run-down buildings, there were newer restaurants and signs popping up each corner.
Large restaurant chains hailing from China now dominated most of Spadina’s food scene. However, as we approached our destination, I thought I knew the exact look of the inside of the restaurant. When our group arrived, it was during the chaos of Chinatown’s lunch rush, so as we waited outside, I caught a glimpse of a newly renovated dining room. The green tile floors have been replaced with a matte hardwood that no longer resembled the old-school Chinatown restaurant I once frequented. My fellow intern and new friend, a first-year political science student, took charge of ordering us a ten course meal. I was in awe of his penmanship as he wrote our order with a pen and napkin. However, I was further in shock as our waiter pulled out an iPad in response. Last time I dined at this restaurant, the waiter would quickly scribble our orders on a notepad and then scream them through the kitchen window. It was an un-written, yet mandatory procedure in every authentic Toronto Chinese restaurant. However, this new change in the system served as a vivid reminder of how technology has rapidly intertwined in even the most traditional parts of our culture and society.
My final project at the Citizen Lab involved a memo on the regulations of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in universities such as Harvard, Yale, the University of Toronto, and Waterloo. I learned that amongst these innovative tools, the new norm is now dependent on evolving uncertainties that ultimately lead to stricter regulations. As academic institutions continue to foster innovation and research, the ethical considerations of integrating GenAI tools remains a difficult balancing act. For example, the use of generative AI tools for any aspect of research or writing of the thesis requires approval of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee in the graduate studies department. As a result, there is an increased level of monitoring candidates when conducting their research. In addition, data privacy is now a primary issue of concern. At universities like Harvard and Princeton, strict regulations govern the use of generative AI (GenAI) tools, particularly when handling confidential data. Princeton and Harvard, for example, strictly prohibit the entry of restricted or confidential information into these tools. Similarly, the University of British Columbia requires a thorough investigation of the tool in relation to the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) to ensure compliance with privacy laws. In contrast, universities like the University of Toronto and Waterloo take a more flexible approach, where confidential data that will be kept within the institution is not strictly prohibited from being entered into GenAI tools. The effects and consequences of these varying regulations are still to be determined in the near future as the Fall semester is yet to begin for hundreds of instructors and thousands of students across these institutions. Certain universities have also created websites specifically dedicated to helping instructors and students navigate the complexities of GenAI. Instructors have also created courses integrated with the use of GenAI tools. However, the main goal of exploring these tools is understanding its limits rather than effectively implementing its potential towards innovation.
Despite the unfamiliar procedure of ordering food that day, the familiar taste of mùi khói chảo or wok hei, meaning the distinct flavour created from a hot wok, was still there. The waiter did throw the utensils at me, so I guess some things still never change! Certain traditions just prevail with a touch of humour and authenticity. My last lunch with the interns was a juxtaposition of the old and new, much like my time at the Citizen Lab where I delved into the intersection of human rights—an established concept known to society—and the ever-evolving technology that continues to shape our future. Human rights is also an abstract and subjective topic that contrasts with technology. My thoughts on the cyber world is that the lines between these juxtapositions are increasingly blurred. Innovation pushes us forward, but it also brings about the need for restrictions to ensure ethical use, like the strict regulations around Generative AI tools in universities. Similarly, while technology offers new ways to protect and advance human rights, it also introduces challenges such as malicious spyware that my colleagues at the Citizen Lab are actively working to address. The old and new coexist in a delicate balance, much like the mix of tradition and modernity I experienced in Toronto’s Chinatown. Moving forward, it’s this balance—between embracing change and staying true to our core values—that will shape our future. In a world where these lines are increasingly blurred, how we manage these juxtapositions will define our ability to use technology’s power to innovate while protecting human rights.