Jason Z. Shen

Teacher Sebastian

Digital Media and Emerging Technology

26 September 2024

The Role of AI in Personalizing Digital Media Experiences

       So, you’ve probably noticed by now how the stuff you watch, listen to, or even scroll through online seems to be getting eerily personal. Whether it’s a playlist on Spotify that feels like it knows you better than your friends or a Netflix recommendation that’s just a little too spot-on, you might be wondering how all this happens. Well, the answer, like most things these days, lies in artificial intelligence (AI). But AI isn’t just some mysterious tech magic, it’s a mix of algorithms, tons of data, and some occasional guesswork.

About Data.

       Let’s start with the basics: AI doesn’t work without data. And not just your basic “I like action movies” types of data. Nope, it’s watching every little thing you do online (creepy right?). Every time you click on a video, pause halfway through, or even linger for a few extra seconds over a thumbnail, AI takes note.

       It’s like when Spotify seems to know exactly which song you want to hear next. It’s not psychic, it’s just picked up on patterns from your listening habits. Same with Netflix: it knows if you binge-watch Animes at 2 AM, and guess what, you’re going to get more Animes popping up in midnight.

       But it’s not perfect. Ever get a recommendation that makes you think, why would I ever want to watch this? That’s AI trying to guess and missing the mark. It’s learning, but it’s not flawless.

AI is Complicated, But It Hides That Well.

       Here’s something interesting: all this AI stuff going on behind the scenes? It’s crazy complicated. Machine learning models analyze millions of data every second. But you don’t need to worry about that because what you see is super simple, just a playlist or video suggestion at the sidebar of Netfelix that feels like it’s been served up without any effort.

       It’s like a chef in the kitchen making a five-course meal, but all you see is the perfect dish. The AI does all the hard work, so all you have to do is click and play. Pretty nice deal for us, right?

       Still, sometimes it gets a little off. Ever notice a weird suggestion in your feed that makes zero sense? Well, that’s because these algorithms are complicated and don’t always get it right. And let’s not even start on the times when you can’t figure out why an ad for something you talked about once starts haunting you. That’s AI going a bit overboard with connecting dots.

Privacy?

       But, while AI’s personalizing everything for you, it’s also collecting a lot of your data and it looks kind of peeky. And that brings up some serious questions about privacy. Like, how much data are we comfortable giving up for the sake of convenience? The more we let these algorithms track us, the better they get at predicting what we like. But at what point do we say, “enough already!”?

       Some platforms are trying to be more transparent about the data they collected, but let’s be honest. Most of us just hit the “accept” without really reading the policy they offered. Who even has time for reading a snoozefest script with thousand of words? But this is something that might become more of an issue in the future, especially as AI gets even more involved in our lives.

AI and Your Emotions: It is Trying to Understand You.

       Okay, so AI is getting smart in another way, it is starting to understand your emotions(sort of). Ever get that feeling when Spotify knows just the right vibe to hit at the right time? Maybe it’s a chill playlist after a stressful day or a pump-up mix when you need to power through a workout. AI is learning how to sync with your mood.

       It’s not flawless, though. Sometimes it gets it wrong, and you end up with a random party anthem when you’re feeling mellow. So it’s remarkable that Ai is capable of tailoring the media to match how you feel.

       Maybe in a few years, AI will be able to pick up on more subtle emotional cues. You come home after a Downer, and a perfect “feel-good” movie pops up with no searching required. We’re not quite there yet, but the way things are going, it’s not as far off as it seems.

The Future is Personalization.

       AI is getting smarter by the day, and the way it personalizes media experiences is only going to get more intense. Think about VR environments that adapt to your mood, or interactive shows where the plot changes based on your reactions. Sounds cool, right? But also a little bit like something out of a sci-fi movie where the machines know too much.

       On the other side, all these personalization might make us a question about how much we want AI to know about us. There’s definitely a trade-off here between convenience and privacy, and it’s something we’re probably going to have to deal with sooner rather than later.

       So, AI’s changing the game when it comes to how we watch, listen, and interact with media. It’s making everything feel more personal and sometimes too personal, but it’s also still learning. There are moments when it nails it and others when it’s hilariously off base.

       At the end of the day, AI’s role in media is still growing up, and the future is going to be wild. We will get more personalization, more tailored experiences, but also more questions about what we’re trading in return. Whether you love it or hate it, AI’s here to stay, making our digital lives a little more… well, let’s just say “interesting.”

Edit 10/10 8:20AM