Argumentative Research TopicsTopics to ConsiderFor the final module, you will spend considerable time on one (1) of the following three research topics. After reading through each of the three brief overviews, decide which topic you would like to work with during this module. After you have made your choice, proceed through the module to the appropriate Overview and Preparatory Assignment where you will dive deeper into research around your chosen topic. Social Media and Free SpeechAs people increasingly get their news from sites social media like Facebook and Twitter, many argue the quality of information highlighted on these platforms is becoming more important, while the prevalence of disinformation, extremism, and hate speech (expressions of prejudice against certain racial, ethnic, religious, or other groups) may pose a significant challenge for modern-day discourse. Social media platforms regularly use a combination of artificial intelligence [software programmed to exhibit intelligence similar to human beings] and human moderators to identify and remove content—like child pornography, fake accounts, sexual content, or threats or promotion of violence—that clearly violates their terms of service.While some critics accuse social media platforms of not doing enough to combat disinformation and extremism online, others criticize social media platforms of too aggressively curating content, thereby limiting freedom of expression, and pandering to a single ideological perspective. Key questions to consider when examining this topic:Should social media companies do more to combat disinformation and extremism on their platforms? Have social media companies too often chosen profits over responsibility?When faced with a choice between protecting free speech and engaging in censorship, should companies always place free speech first?The Threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI)Artificial intelligence plays a huge role in our everyday lives. We use it in our communication, transportation, business, and homes. AI is the foundation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the digital revolution. It is already transforming our everyday lives, and experts expect AI to continue transforming our world at an exponential rate beyond that of any previous revolutions. As AI evolves in society, it’s important to question if the threat of AI outweighs the benefits. On one side of the argument, Artificial intelligence has already had great positive impacts for humans in areas such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, money management, and in many more industries. From a different perspective, Artificial intelligence has caused many dangers to society in the collection of personal data, hacking and identity theft, the spread of misinformation, and the displacement on manufacturing workers. Key Questions to consider when examining this topic:Will AI bring us more benefits or create more problems?Does AI affect our society and lifestyles in positive or negative ways?Can AI help solve pressing world problems or speed up science and technological development to a more positive direction?Does AI threaten social stability and equality or drive science and technological development to a more negative direction?Felon Voting RightsAlthough the Constitution of the United States, starting with the 15th Amendment, speaks of the “right of citizens to vote,” the Constitution has also had to be repeatedly amended to extend voting rights. Many states, however, have laws that deny the vote to current and/or former felons. States vary widely in how they voters who have been convicted of a felony. Voting rights for individuals convicted of crimes ranges from Maine and Vermont, that allow everyone to vote, including those who are incarcerated, to Virginia, Kentucky and Iowa, where individuals with felony records are permanently barred from voting, unless their voting rights are restored by the governor of the state.Key Questions to consider when examining this topic:What are the benefits of restoring voting rights to incarcerated and / or formerly individuals? What are the drawbacks of restoring voting rights to these individuals?Keeping in mind that current state laws provide a range of possible responses to felon voting rights, from allowing felons in prison the right to vote, to banning former felons from ever voting, what response do you think is right? What effect would allowing felons and or former felons to vote have on Virginia? On the nation? Consider the possible outcomes.