Major Project Essay (Introduction)

 Computer Graphics and Visualizations

Initial Idea 1

Graphics and Visuals

What are Graphics and Visualization?

Computer graphics are an area of technology that generates images on computer screens which can be used in digital photography, animation, video games and electronic devices. Visualization is just a process on how the image is shown using different techniques to communicate a message (What is computer graphics? A guide to getting started, 2023)

Types of Computer Graphics

• Raster Graphics - 2D images made of rows and columns of square pixels
• Vector Graphics - Made up of shapes and lines. Mathematical formulas shows how the shapes and lines are related to each other
• Interactive Computer Graphics - Allows a user to tell a computer how to generate images
• Non-interactive Computer Graphics - Does not allow access for users to determine how images are made

(What is computer graphics? A guide to getting started, 2023)

Advantages

• Enhancing visual communications
• Facilitating creations of complex designs
• Improving realism of visual contents
• Enabling creation of 3D models and animations
• Improving accessibility of visual contents

(Advantages and disadvantages of Computer Graphics, 2023)

Disadvantages

• Requires specialized skills and software
• May potentially lead to exaggerated representations
• Takes time to create
• May potentially promote a reliance on modern technology
• Vulnerable to manipulation

(Advantages and disadvantages of Computer Graphics, 2023)

References

The University of Arizona (2023) Visualization and graphics. Available at: https://www.cs.arizona.edu/research/visualization-and-graphics (Accessed: April 26, 2023). 

What is computer graphics? A guide to getting started (2023). Available at: https://www.coursera.org/articles/computer-graphics (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

Advantages and disadvantages of Computer Graphics (2023). Available at: https://aspiringyouths.com/advantages-disadvantages/computer-graphics/#:~:text=The%20followings%20are%20the%20advantages%20and%20disadvantages%20of,on%20tech%20...%20%201%20more%20rows%20 (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

Initial Idea 2

Artificial Intelligence(AI)

What is Artificial Intelligence?

It is the ability of digital computers to perform tasks frequently associated with intelligent beings. It is usually applied to projects of developing systems provided with the processes characteristic of humans: the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience (Copeland , 2023).

Types of AI

• Reactive Machines - No memory, responds to different stimuli
• Limited Memory - Uses memory to learn and improve responses
• Theory of Mind - Understands the needs of other intelligent beings
• Self-Aware - Has intelligence similar to that of humans and self-awareness
• Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) - Can only perform specific tasks anonymously using human intelligence.
• Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) - the ability to learn, perceive, understand, and function completely like a human being
• Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) - has greater memory, faster data processing and analysis, and decision-making capabilities

(Joshi, 2022)

Advantages

• More powerful and useful computers
• Introduces an improved interface for human interactions
• Introduces new techniques to solve problems
• Handles data better than humans
• Very helpful for the conversion of data into knowledge
• Improves work, so it reduces the time to complete a task compared to humans

(Advantages and disadvantage of artificial intelligence, 2023)

Disadvantages

• Higher implementation cost
• Development of software is slow and expensive. There are not many programmers that are available to develop software for artificial intelligence.
• Replaces jobs for humans that will lead to unemployment.
• Can be easily lead to destruction if it is in the wrongs hands

(Advantages and disadvantage of artificial intelligence, 2023)

References

Copeland, B.J. (2023) Artificial Intelligence, Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

Joshi, N. (2022) 7 types of artificial intelligence, Forbes. Forbes Magazine. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2019/06/19/7-types-of-artificial-intelligence/?sh=42588786233e (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

Advantages and disadvantage of artificial intelligence (2023). Available at: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/advantages-and-disadvantage-of-artificial-intelligence/ (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

My Software and Hardware Skills

 I know the basics about computers and the main software everyone uses such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and also drawing software such as draw.io. I have engaged in computing subjects during my high school years such as Information and Computer Technology (ICT) in Meadow Oaks International. 

For hardware, I have mostly used printers, speakers, keyboards and I am not sure if this is also a hardware, but I use pen drives too. 

In DMU I think I would most likely use printers, keyboards, Word, PowerPoint and Excel. I may not know what my future will bring for me, but I believe these skills might help me in future animations and presentations. It could also help me in solving technical issues for my family and friends!