Social Studies Component

Our project focused on utilizing computer vision to analyze webcam footage, but computer vision has many other applications. Being able to interpret images has mostly been a human-specific ability, but computer vision allows computers to do it as well. This means instead of having people to analyze images, which can be monotonous, a computer can do it consistently without being subject to human limitations such as attention span and boredom. Now, attention can be more focused on tasks that require nuance which can't be currently automated.

Famous examples of computer vision include iPhone FaceID, security software, and self-driving cars. The convenience computer vision provides allows people to avoid human error in time-consuming low-effort tasks. Most car crashes are caused by human error, which can be a result of sleep-deprivation or alcohol. Automation of such vehicles removes this variable from driving and may result in lower crashes. Moreover, the utilities of computer vision expand across driving or security. Virtually anything that requires visual processing could potentially be automated by computer vision. In healthcare, computers could automatically process X-rays or MRIs and diagnose conditions.

In the Ukrainian war, computer vision uses imagery combined with reports to more efficiently provide relevant information. This decreases the response time to crises and allow for swifter plans.

Due to the potential changes in efficiency, many jobs may become obsolete in the face of increased automation while other jobs become much more productive with computer-vision assistance.