A computing innovation is any program, physical device, or system that uses computing to solve problems or enable new abilities.

Examples:

• Self-driving cars
• Social media platforms
• Machine learning spam filters
• Navigation apps (GPS)
• Smartwatches and health trackers

Computing innovations collect, store, analyze, and exchange data. Understanding the flow of data is essential for the AP exam.

Computing innovations use:

• Input data — GPS, images, user clicks, temperature readings
• Output data — directions, recommendations, alerts
• Stored data — logs, recordings, databases
• Processed data — results of algorithms or ML models

Every innovation has impacts — good AND bad. Impacts can be:

• Economic — jobs created or lost
• Social — communication, relationships
• Cultural — trends, expression
• Environmental — energy use, e-waste

Examples:

Smartphones

• 👍 Easy access to information
• 👍 New jobs (app development)
• 👎 Addiction, distraction
• 👎 Location data privacy concerns

Algorithms can unintentionally reinforce biases.

Causes of bias:

• Biased training data
• Underrepresentation of certain groups
• Faulty assumptions in model design

Examples:

• Facial recognition underperforming for darker skin tones
• Hiring algorithms favoring certain demographics

The digital divide refers to unequal access to computing resources based on geography, socioeconomic status, or education.

Ways to reduce the divide:

• Providing free Internet in low-income neighborhoods
• Offering community-based computer literacy programs
• Increasing access to school technology

Crowdsourcing allows large groups of people—often online—to contribute to a task or dataset.

Examples:

• Wikipedia
• OpenStreetMap
• Folding@home (distributed computing)
• Public environmental data tracking

Question 1

A fitness tracker collects heart rate and activity data from users. Which of the following is a harmful impact of this innovation?

• A. Users become more aware of their exercise habits
• B. Health researchers gain large datasets for studies
• C. Sensitive health data may be exposed or misused
• D. Users receive personalized workout recommendations

Correct Answer: C
Health data is extremely sensitive and may be misused if improperly secured or shared.

Question 2

A machine learning model predicts loan approvals but underrepresents certain groups in its training data. What issue does this illustrate?

• A. Digital divide
• B. Crowdsourcing
• C. Algorithmic bias
• D. Open data

Correct Answer: C
Bias occurs when datasets do not represent all groups equally or fairly.

Question 3

Which of the following best reduces the digital divide?

• A. Increasing the price of smartphones
• B. Providing free Wi-Fi in underserved communities
• C. Removing public computers from libraries
• D. Requiring all citizens to work remotely

Correct Answer: B
Expanding Internet access is the most effective way to reduce the digital divide.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of crowdsourcing?

• A. A computer simulation predicting weather patterns
• B. A company using its internal database of sales
• C. Thousands of volunteers labeling images to train an AI model
• D. A student writing a research paper alone

Correct Answer: C
Crowdsourcing involves large groups of people contributing to a shared dataset or goal.

Question 5

Which of the following is a beneficial impact of a navigation app like Google Maps?

• A. It increases traffic congestion
• B. It exposes user location data to attackers
• C. It reduces travel time by suggesting optimized routes
• D. It removes the need for any Internet infrastructure

Correct Answer: C
Navigation apps provide real-time optimized routing, reducing travel time for users.