Michael Jordan, born in 1963, is often considered the greatest basketball player of all time due to his extraordinary talent, work ethic, and competitive drive. He played the majority of his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls, leading the team to six NBA championships in the 1990s and earning five Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards along the way. Jordan was known for his incredible scoring ability, highlighted by his smooth jump shot, acrobatic dunks, and clutch performances in critical moments, which earned him the nickname “His Airness.” Beyond his on-court achievements, Jordan became a global cultural icon, helping to popularize the NBA worldwide. His partnership with Nike revolutionized sports marketing, launching the iconic Air Jordan sneaker brand that remains hugely influential today. After retiring from basketball, Jordan transitioned into business, becoming the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise and a successful entrepreneur. His impact extends far beyond basketball, influencing fashion, marketing, and the way athletes engage with fans, making him one of the most recognized and celebrated sports figures in history.
2. Steph curry
Description: Stephen Curry, often known as Steph Curry, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a transformative figure in the NBA. Born on March 14, 1988, Curry plays as a point guard for the Golden State Warriors and is known for revolutionizing the game with his exceptional shooting ability, particularly from three-point range. A two-time NBA MVP and multiple-time NBA champion, Curry has redefined offensive strategies in basketball, emphasizing spacing and long-range shooting. Beyond his skills on the court, he is also known for his leadership, work ethic, and impact off the court through philanthropy and youth sports programs. His influence has made a lasting mark on the sport and inspired a new generation of players.
3. Allen Iverson
Description: Allen Iverson, often nicknamed “The Answer,” is a former NBA player who is widely regarded as one of the most influential and electrifying guards in basketball history. Standing at just 6 feet tall, Iverson defied the odds with his fearless playing style, quickness, and incredible scoring ability. He was the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and went on to win NBA MVP in 2001, leading the Sixers to the NBA Finals that same year. Known for his signature crossover dribble and relentless competitiveness, Iverson became a cultural icon both on and off the court. His impact extended beyond basketball, as he helped bridge the gap between hip-hop culture and the NBA, influencing fashion, attitude, and identity within the sport. Despite controversies and a tumultuous career, Iverson’s legacy as a fearless competitor and trailblazer remains deeply respected.
This is a collection of work I have done across the year.
Remembrance day poppy
Christmas Mailchimp
Halloween Party Mailchimp
Tech news
Remembrance day poppy
Lest we forget — a symbol of sacrifice, peace, and remembrance
Photoshop: Mikal Bridges in the Garden
Mailchimp:
Tech news:
The article explores the growing reliance on digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to manage cognitive tasks, arguing that while these technologies can enhance our abilities, they also pose a risk to our independent thinking. The author discusses the concept of the “extended mind,” where our cognition is no longer confined to our brains, but instead intertwined with our devices. While tools like spell-check, GPS, and AI chatbots make life more efficient, studies suggest that excessive dependence on them can lead to declining critical thinking skills and cognitive atrophy. This raises an important question: What mental faculties are too valuable to outsource? The piece highlights the tension between technological convenience and cognitive integrity, emphasizing the need to strike a balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and preserving our ability to think deeply and independently.
The argument that technology is reshaping our cognitive abilities is both compelling and concerning. While humans have always used tools to enhance thinking—whether through written language or calculators—the pace and depth of modern outsourcing to AI is unprecedented. What makes this shift particularly alarming is that it is happening largely without conscious reflection. The fear isn’t just about “brain rot” or losing memory skills; it’s about losing the ability to engage with complex problems and develop original insights. If we continue to delegate critical thinking to AI without questioning its outputs, we risk becoming passive consumers of information rather than active participants in knowledge creation. That said, avoiding AI altogether isn’t the answer. The key is intentionality—knowing when to use technology as a complement to thinking rather than a replacement for it. Like any powerful tool, AI should empower us, not diminish our mental agency.
The article explores the resurgence of techno-optimism, a belief that rapid technological advancement will drive human progress, particularly championed by Silicon Valley elites like Sam Altman, Marc Andreessen, and Elon Musk. However, it critiques the left for failing to present its own vision of technological progress. Historically, leftist movements embraced innovation as a means of liberation, but modern progressives often express skepticism toward advancements like AI, genetic engineering, and space exploration. The author argues that the left should reclaim its past enthusiasm for technology and advocate for publicly-led, democratically-controlled advancements that serve collective well-being rather than market-driven interests. Instead of opposing technological change outright, the left should push for strategic investments in areas like AI-driven scientific discovery, decarbonization, and space exploration, ensuring that innovation benefits all of humanity rather than being monopolized by private entities.
The article makes a compelling case that the left has largely abandoned its historic role as a champion of technological progress. While skepticism of profit-driven innovation is understandable—given concerns over corporate greed, environmental impact, and AI-driven inequality—the outright rejection of technological ambition risks ceding the future to billionaire-led initiatives. The pandemic proved that state intervention can drive groundbreaking advancements, yet much of the modern left appears hesitant to embrace similar large-scale projects. The challenge isn’t whether technology should advance, but who controls it and for whose benefit. Rather than merely critiquing tech billionaires, progressive movements could redefine innovation on their own terms—prioritizing public investment, ethical AI development, and equitable global access to emerging technologies. In an era where markets alone cannot address existential crises like climate change and pandemics, a proactive, state-led approach to technological progress may be the most pragmatic and forward-thinking path forward.
The article reports a major stock market downturn that saw America’s seven biggest technology companies—Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Nvidia, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, and Meta—lose a combined $750 billion in market value. Apple alone suffered a staggering $174 billion loss, while Tesla experienced a 15% drop, marking its worst performance since 2020. The decline was driven by concerns over new trade tariffs, which could increase costs for companies relying on overseas manufacturing. Semiconductor stocks, including Nvidia and Micron Technology, were particularly hard hit due to their dependence on global supply chains. The broader tech sector, represented by the Nasdaq, also recorded its steepest drop since 2022. The article highlights the vulnerability of even the most dominant tech companies to geopolitical and economic shifts.
This market crash underscores how interconnected the global economy is and how even the largest tech giants are not immune to policy changes. The impact of trade tariffs on semiconductor stocks is particularly significant, as these components are essential to everything from AI advancements to consumer electronics. While some may see this downturn as a temporary market correction, it also raises questions about long-term strategies for companies that rely heavily on offshore production. Could this push for more domestic manufacturing, or will companies find new ways to offset rising costs? Moreover, for investors, this serves as a reminder that tech stocks—despite their long-term dominance—are still susceptible to external shocks. The challenge now is how these companies will adapt to an evolving economic landscape where trade policies can dictate their financial stability.
In this project, I used Adobe Illustrator to create a poppy in a vector artwork style, in honour of Remembrance Day. I then used Adobe Photoshop to place it in a field of other poppies.
Project two: Tech News Articles.
Topic one: Rise of Artificial Intelligence.
In recent years. artificial intelligence has quickly become incredibly prevalent and important in everyday life. Artificial intelligence is simply a computer which is capable of performing tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as writing. AI has great utility, being used as a virtual assistant, or useful tool to complete mundane tasks. However, the rise and development of AI raises societal questions regarding autonomy of machines, as well as job loss.
In my opinion, AI is generally a good and useful thing. I frequently use AI for help with assignments or studying, as it will do whatever you tell it, and is more specific than any search engine. I think that in its current capability, the downsides to AI are very limited. Obviously plagiarism is the main concern currently, however, it is very obvious when a student has used AI to generate a response to a prompt. If AI keeps improving, and its work starts to become indistinguishable from that of a human, then I think that it will become a large problem in society, as this will lead to job shortages, etc. Overall, AI is currently a very prevalent topic and it will be interesting to see how it pans out in the course of the next few years.
Topic 2: Nvidia share price drop
In early 2025, Nvidia, a leading company in the production of artificial intelligence chips and graphics processing units experienced a crash in its stock value. This was due to a multitude of reasons, such as restrictions being placed on the export of chips to China, as well as the emergence of Deepseek, a Chinese AI competitor. This had a drastic impact on shareholders for Nvidia, as many people lost money due to this large crash.
In my opinion, I am not happy about this event. As a shareholder in Nvidia, this event means that I have lost money as the stocks went down in value. In addition, I do not wholeheartedly agree with restrictions being placed on the export of cutting-edge technology, as I believe that technology should be shared and used to benefit all parties, not just some. Overall, this event was somewhat significant in the world of technology, and may be somewhat foreshadowing future events.
Topic 3: PC Part Affordability
Over recent years, components like CPUs and GPUs have undergone massive changes, regarding the technologies in them. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, prices for computer parts skyrocketed due to supply chain issues. Adding onto this, computer gaming became more popular, and the demand for these parts increased, as the prices did too. Today, although the problem has gotten better, PC part prices still have not recovered from this event, and they are still incredibly unaffordable, making it difficult for the average person to access high-end technology.
In my opinion, this event is absolutely terrible for everyone. In the world of PCs, it is usually advisable that instead of buying a pre-built PC, you should build one yourself, to save money, and to know that no corners are being cut. However, I remember a few years ago, it was actually more expensive to build your own computer than to be the same PC pre-built, which is an absolutely insane concept if you factor in labor prices. As someone who owns a PC, I feel bad for those who require or would like a computer in this era, but simply cannot afford it due to the prices. Overall, this issue is again very impactful in the technology world, and I hope it will be resolved soon.
Project 3: Short Film
This is a short film that I created using Adobe Premiere Pro. I collaboratively created it with other students, and I used many fundamental editing techniques.
Project 4: Short Film
Again, this is another short film that I created and edited using Adobe Premier Pro, and used many fundamental editing techniques to do so.
Final Project Portfolio
In this video, I go over what I did on this webpage. Although I forgot to include it, I also completed a spreadsheet in which I predicted how many points players would have over the NHL season.
Apple Intelligence is a new AI system built into iPhones, iPads, and Macs that helps you write, communicate, and get things done more easily. It works across your apps to understand context and give smart suggestions, edits, and actions.
I think Apple Intelligence is really cool because it makes using your iPhone or Mac way smarter and more helpful. It understands what you need and gives you better suggestions, messages, and tools. My favorite feature is the new writing tools that help fix grammar and change the tone of your message, it makes everything feel easier and more professional. Overall, it feels like having a super helpful assistant built right into your device.
Tech News 2 – AI Changes
In May 2025, major tech companies like Microsoft and Match Group laid off thousands of employees amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). While some fear AI is replacing human jobs, industry leaders argue that these layoffs are part of restructuring to adapt to evolving technologies, emphasizing the need for workforce reskilling and adaptation to AI-driven innovation.
This news highlights how AI is transforming the job market, especially in tech. It’s a bit scary to think that so many people are losing their jobs, but it’s also a reminder of how fast technology is changing. I find it interesting that companies are focusing on reskilling rather than just replacing workers. It makes me think about the importance of learning new skills to keep up with these changes.
Tech News 3 – Future Tech
At Google I/O 2025, Google unveiled major advancements in artificial intelligence, including Project Astra—a universal AI assistant capable of real-time video analysis and multitasking. Additionally, the company introduced Android XR Glasses, developed in collaboration with Samsung, featuring real-time translation and AI interaction capabilities.
These announcements are exciting because they showcase how AI is becoming more integrated into our daily lives. The idea of glasses that can translate languages in real-time feels like something out of science fiction. I find Project Astra particularly fascinating, as it could revolutionize how we interact with technology by providing seamless assistance across various tasks. Overall, it’s thrilling to see these futuristic concepts becoming a reality.
I made these poppies for Remembrance Day using Adobe Illustrator.
Tech News Story One: Social Media Banned for All Children Under 16 in Australia
In November, Australia passed a bill banning social media for all children under the age of 16. This ban is the most restrictive one currently in place in the world, and has the highest age limit. Many Australians believe that this is a step in the right direction, but others are worried about negative impacts on youth.
The main reasoning behind the ban is to free youth from the confines of harmful content and addictive apps. “We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, said (credit BBC). It’s hard to disagree with this sentiment; we all want children and teens to enjoy their lives and be safe online, and the social media ban will help protect young people from the dangers of this kind of technology. However, experts are worried that the ban could prevent teens from connecting with their friends online, leaving them feeling isolated. Additionally, there are concerns about privacy with possible age-verification technology, which could involve biometric recognition of the faces of children and adults alike.
How the ban is implemented and its positive or negative effects remain to be seen. Depending on the outcome, other countries, like Canada, could follow suit, or if the ban is ineffective, go down alternative paths for protecting children on social media.
Personally, I think that the ban has both positive and negative attributes. As a teenager, I am aware of my and my friends’ social media usage, and the positive and negative impacts it can have on our mental health. I take steps to avoid overusing social media, but not every teenager does, and this can lead to a lack of sleep and poor performance in school and other activities. While a flat-out ban may not be the ultimate solution to the social media problem, it will force tech companies to make their platforms safer for kids or risk losing a significant portion of their users. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts that will most surely come from this.
I created this Google Form to act as a practice test for an upcoming Life Sciences 11 exam. It involves questions from all units and gives users a score out of 14 once they have completed the test.
Tech News Story Two: Smart Ray-Bans
In October of 2023, Meta Ray-Bans were released, which put photo, video and AI capabilities into a pair of fashionable glasses. These glasses allow wearers to listen to music, take photos and videos, livestream from the glasses, send messages, and ask AI questions, all without even taking out their phone. The glasses are reported to be as comfortable as regular ones, only weighing “a couple grams more” than their non-AI counterparts. With a long battery life and stylish, comfortable frames, these smart glasses could be the wave of the future. However, there are also some concerns with the ethics of the technology. Two Harvard students proved that while AI glasses are cool, they also raise some concerns about privacy.
Combining facial recognition programs with AI assistants, the students approached strangers in the subway station and tested the technology on them. Once in about every 3 people, the glasses recognized a face and pulled information from the internet about them, including information about their job and possibly even where they live. They then introduced themselves to the strangers, asking them questions based on the information retrieved about their identities. The strangers, a bit confused to be greeted by someone they’d never met before, had no idea what was going on until they saw the video of the encounter posted later on social media.
Personally, I believe that the Meta Ray-Bans are a great new invention that will be helpful to many people, but we also must be careful about respecting people’s privacy, especially when such useful technology is right at our fingertips. The same expectation of courtesy and etiquette with phones should be upheld with smart glasses and any other kinds of wearable electronics. In the end, always stop and think before you record someone or use facial recognition mechanisms, and ask yourself if it is the right thing to do. When in doubt, just ask for permission.
I used Adobe Illustrator and watched a video on how to make a parrot using Illustrator functions such as the ellipse tool, layering shapes and then subtracting parts to make half-circles, and using the eyedropper tool to make everything the same colour.
Tech News Story Three: Synthetic Media
The rise of artificial intelligence in many aspects of communication and information sharing, such as social media posts, has also given rise to what is known as “synthetic media”. Synthetic media refers to any photo or video that has been altered or changed in some way to make it different. AI allows us to create all sorts of synthetic media, from photos of ourselves with cat filters to reels on social media to AI-generated trip itineraries. This kind of technology has led to advances in the film industry and other creative industries, improving some already-existing features such as CGI and making cinema even better. On a smaller scale, we can create fun social media posts that we share with our friends which were made through the assistance of AI. While all of these aspects of synthetic media are beneficial, AI has recently been used in the spread of disinformation.
Deepfakes, or fake videos of famous people, have become more and more common in our world, and harder to spot. Videos of politicians and celebrities, usually saying or doing outrageous things, proliferate across news and social media platforms, often spreading fast and far before fact-checkers can debunk them. This can lead to consumers being easily manipulated by fake videos, and believing the ideas and opinions that they share, which are most often harmful. In today’s uncertain political landscape, this type of synthetic media could wrongfully damage the reputations of different parties or candidates, causing their supporters to lose faith in their platforms or even support a different party, all because of false information.
I believe that synthetic media has both positive and negative impacts on society. The positive aspects should be enhanced and celebrated, and we should reduce the negative aspects through consumer education, legislation and forms of technology that can combat deepfakes. We should also enjoy the benefits we reap from AI, but be conscious of the ways it can be used for harm, making sure to never spread misinformation and always protect ourselves from the influence of this technology.
I used Photoshop to create this wacky scene. I took pictures off of the internet and combined them to form new animals, using the selection, blur, remove background and erase tools. I generated the background using AI.
Tech News Story Four: 23andMe Bankruptcy
The popular genetic testing company 23andMe has recently filed for bankruptcy, leaving many people wondering what will happen to the data the company has collected. Much of the information gathered from genetic testing can be quite personal. From your ancestry to your susceptibility to certain diseases to many other characteristics, companies like 23andMe provide users with lots of information. DNA testing is comprehensive as it looks at the whole genome, and can allow people to better understand themselves and make informed decisions about their health and take preventative measures to help ensure a better future.
Unfortunately, as 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, all of this valuable, yet sensitive, information could be changing hands very soon. Another company could buy 23andMe, and that company could have different privacy laws that don’t adequately protect the data of their customers. A data breach already occurred in 2023, exposing many customers’ data without their consent. Attorney general of California Rob Bonta said “Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company,” (The Toronto Star), echoing the comments of other experts.
I believe that, in a world where many aspects of our life and information about us is stored online, we have to be careful about who we share our personal data with, and whether the risk is worth it at all. Once your information is out there, it’s often hard to retrieve it. When using online genetic testing, it’s important to take all possible steps to protect yourself. Putting personal information in the hands of someone else is always risky, so be prepared for all possible outcomes, including data breaches, before using such services.
Project 4: Mailchimp Campaign: Best Off-Campus Lunch Spots
I created a Mailchimp campaign, with an attached Google Form, surveying people about the best places to each lunch off-campus. The first image is a screenshot of the email, and the second one is the embed code for that email.
Tech News Story 5: Digital Twins: How the Fashion Industry Is Moving Towards AI Models
Famous fashion company H&M recently announced that they are going to start using AI models for marketing purposes. This campaign is an exciting opportunity to try out new forms of technology in a never-before-seen way. Many models are excited about this idea. It will allow them to be in “multiple places at once” (through their digital rendering). Without sacrificing pay, they will be able to take on more contracts and further their career by modeling for companies that may be far away from where they live. Spokespeople say that the models and their agents will have full control over their digital twin, just as if it was a real picture of themselves. This project could cut down on costs for the company and reduce travel time for the models.
However, there are also concerns about this kind of technology being used against the wishes of the models. Clothing institutions could potentially use a digital twin in advertising without properly compensating the model for it, or apply the likeness in ways that the model doesn’t consent to. Additionally, professions associated with photo shoots, such as photography, makeup art, hair styling, and equipment setup could find themselves out of a job. To cut costs, money has to be saved somewhere, and in this case it would be by getting rid of all the jobs associated with organizing and running a photo shoot.
In a constantly developing tech and fashion industry, policies and regulations can often fall behind innovations. The AI fashion industry could make the lives of models and companies much easier, extending the reach of their products. Sadly, it could also render many jobs void, and leave people out of work, or provide an opportunity for future companies to misuse digital likenesses in whole new ways. I believe that this kind of technology should be closely monitored and followed by laws to protect workers from the negative aspects of AI models, but not prevent industries from experimenting and progressing. We all have to make sure that as our world is developing no one is being harmed in the process.
Tech News Story 6: Bird Lasers: How Technology Is Being Used to Combat the Spread of Avian Flu
Avian influenza (H5N1) has been a problem for a long time, but the effects of the virus have grown in recent months and years. Wiping out millions of birds from a flock and decimating farms, H5N1 has made its mark. Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. Avian flu has spread to dairy farms, infecting cows and even human workers. While avian flu can’t spread from person to person yet, if the virus keeps spreading and mutating, it could happen soon. With a crisis looming in the future, experts were looking for a solution to the problem. They found one: lasers.
Originally used around airports to stop birds from landing on the runway, lasers provide an eco-friendly and harmless solution to the problem of keeping wild birds away from farms. Invisible to us and safe for animals and people, the technology is an excellent way to stop the spread. When installed on the top of a building, they form criss-crossing lines that birds perceive as objects, so they do not land. Farmers in Minnesota have tested the use of the lasers on farms, and they appear to work perfectly. A couple of months ago, the Minnesota government even gave out grants to farms to help subsidize the cost of installing these lasers.
With avian influenza cases rapidly increasing, I think that technology, whether it is bird deterrents or vaccines, is the only way we will solve the problem and prevent it from getting worse. Technology has been used to solve all kinds of problems, and this issue is no different. Also, this design is not new: lasers were already in place in airports. Sometimes, the answer isn’t hard to find: You just have to look around at the tools you already have, and one of them might just work.
Summary: This video shows how artificial intelligence is changing the way video games are made and played. AI can now create realistic characters, environments, and game worlds much faster than before. It also makes non-player characters (NPCs) smarter by reacting to how each player plays. Developers are using AI to test games and find problems more quickly, which helps them create better games faster. The video also talks about some concerns, like how player data is used, possible bias in AI, and making sure humans still have creative control.
Personal Opinion: I think using AI in games is really cool and could make games more fun and personal. It’s exciting that games can now change based on how someone plays, but I also think it’s important to be careful. If we rely too much on AI, we might lose the creative/human side of games. AI should be a tool that helps improve games, not something that takes over the game itself.
2 – New Things on the Way from Apple
Summary: This video shows a walkthrough of the latest software and feature updates for Apple. It covers major updates across iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, Watches, TVs and more—highlighting the new appearance designs, strengthened AI integrations such as Visual Intelligence and Live Translation, enhanced features, such as hands-free calling, Intelligent Shortcuts, more capable Siri, and a revamped Apple Games hub.
Personal Opinion: I think these updates are super beneficial for users—especially the new enhancement features and AI-powered tools that streamline everyday tasks. The updated look and smarter system-wide features feel like a significant leap forward in making Apple’s devices more visually appealing and helpful for users.
3 – AI company’s CEO issues warning about mass unemployment
Summary: In this video, Anthropic CEO, Dario Amodei, sounded the alarm on the rapid rise of AI, warning it could trigger mass unemployment—potentially eliminating 10–20% of jobs, with entry‑level white‑collar positions hit hardest. He stresses that this AI boom is “bigger, broader, and moving faster” than any prior technology wave and urges society to prepare by acknowledging the risk and adapting tools like workforce retraining and algorithmic regulation.
Personal Opinion: I fully agree with this statement—AI’s evolution poses a dangerous threat to job stability. As more routine and complex tasks become automated, many industries will face structural shifts. This could lead to widescale unemployment, and it is hard to stop this unless we take action now. By confronting the future head‑on can we hope to protect workers and ensure AI enhances lives, rather than taking away 10-20% of jobs.
