This course changed the way I understand both technology and my own thinking process. At the beginning, I approached AI and other digital tools primarily as useful resources…efficient, responsive, and capable of helping me complete tasks. While I recognized their value, I had not fully examined how they functioned or how they were shaping the way I approached learning and problem-solving. Over the course of this class, that perspective shifted from simple use to deeper understanding.

One of the most important ideas I gained was the distinction between technological success and truth. In my work with Ferre’s ideas, I began to see how easily effective systems can be mistaken for authoritative ones. Through my own experience using AI, I saw how convincing outputs can create a sense of trust, even when the system itself does not possess true understanding. This realization made me more aware of the need to question, evaluate, and remain actively engaged when using technology, rather than relying on it passively.

This awareness connects directly to my work with Headrick, where I explored how information technology has transformed not only access to knowledge, but the expectations surrounding it. I recognized that my own habits—seeking immediate answers, organizing ideas through digital tools, and interacting with information in real time are shaped by these technological systems. This helped me understand that technology is not neutral in its effects; it actively influences how I think, communicate, and learn.