In China, pervasive camera systems monitor restive minority populations, while in the United States, algorithms play a crucial role in deciding whether individuals are incarcerated.
BEWARE, artificial intelligence is keeping a watchful eye on you. The formidable capabilities of AI are being harnessed to amplify surveillance efforts, with both authoritarian regimes and democratic nations adopting this technology for political and social control.
The latest episode of the Sleepwalkers podcast delves into the implications of AI surveillance, exploring how it consolidates power and control. The pressing question is whether we can curb this concerning trajectory. Data gleaned from apps and websites, initially employed for optimizing ads and social feeds, now poses a dual threat by potentially exposing individuals' personal lives and political affiliations to authorities.
This ominous trend is propelled by the ubiquity of smartphones, smart cameras, and increasingly sophisticated AI. Notably, a Stanford-developed algorithm in 2017 claimed to discern a person's sexual orientation from a photograph, opening the door to new avenues of persecution.
Digital sociologist Lisa Talia Moretti raises a chilling scenario: integrate such technology into a citywide CCTV surveillance system in a country like Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is a criminal offense. The consequence? Individuals being apprehended solely based on the AI's determination of their sexual orientation.
Among nations, China stands out as a trailblazer in embracing facial recognition and AI surveillance. Fueled by intense competition and unparalleled access to personal data, China's AI industry has thrived, facilitating tighter governmental control over information, speech, and individual freedoms. The rise of AI poses a critical challenge as societies grapple with striking a balance between
In certain Chinese urban centers, facial recognition is employed for identifying criminals captured in surveillance footage and publicly denouncing individuals engaged in minor infractions. Particularly concerning is the deployment of AI in Xinjiang, a province in Western China, where it is exploited to oppress Muslims. The worrisome trend extends beyond China's borders as it exports not only its technological advancements but also the principles of techno-repression to nations like Pakistan, Cambodia, and Laos, under the Belt and Road Initiative.
While some argue that China's AI capabilities may be overstated, the burgeoning AI industry in the country is undeniably casting a shadow over personal freedoms, warns Ian Bremmer, a specialist in global political risk and founder of the Eurasia Group. Bremmer emphasizes that the mere development of such capacities by a government, coupled with a display of enforcement and a few publicize.
While it may seem like a distant scenario, comparable tools are actively under development and utilization in Western societies. Just consider Glenn Rodriguez's experience when seeking parole in the United States.
Despite maintaining a decade of exemplary behavior, Rodriguez found himself at the mercy of an algorithm called COMPAS, designed to forecast inmates' likelihood of reoffending. The unsettling revelation was that the algorithm exhibited bias against him. Despite the parole board ultimately disregarding the program's counsel and granting his release, they opted to impose the algorithm's recommended curfew. Rodriguez remains haunted by the lingering impact of COMPAS, underscoring the pervasive influence of such algorithms in the justice system.
Law enforcement is increasingly adopting AI technologies, with the New York Police Department, for instance, experimenting with tools like facial recognition. While AI holds the promise of enhancing effectiveness and accountability within the department, our acceptance or rejection of this disconcerting trend may shape whether the Western world unwittingly moves towards its own version of technological tyranny.
Oz Woloshyn, the host of Sleepwalkers, emphasizes the hard-won and delicate nature of liberty in America. He underscores the critical juncture faced by society, where pivotal decisions regarding AI's role in law enforcement could profoundly impact our lives and resonate through the generations to come.
FAQs
How AI is Watching Us?
Cameras have long surveilled cities, businesses, and homes, capturing footage stored locally and necessitating human review. However, a transformative shift has occurred. AI systems now possess the capability to actively search for a van within a city, conduct real-time scans of license plates, and even recognize faces, eliminating the need for manual oversight.
Does AI able To Think?
Neural networks, while potent AI tools, diverge significantly from human brains in their functioning. Despite not possessing the capacity for human-like thinking, these networks are already actively applied to address diverse challenges. Their ongoing evolution promises increased potency and expanded capabilities in tackling a broad spectrum of problems.
Is AI good or bad?
While experts often highlight AI's capacity to liberate individuals from monotonous tasks as a positive aspect, some argue that this advantage may be accompanied by a drawback: the potential erosion of skills among people.
Is AI is smart enough?
It's crucial to acknowledge that AI, while highly proficient in executing predefined tasks, doesn't possess genuine intelligence. Instead, it is extensively trained to operate within specific parameters. The limitations include the inability to think independently, comprehend the subtleties of human behavior, and make decisions grounded in common sense.
Is AI really harmful?
In our current lives, numerous AI-related risks demand attention. Not all of these risks are as dramatic as concerns about killer robots or sentient AI. Key contemporary risks encompass consumer privacy, biased programming, potential harm to humans, and the absence of clear legal regulations.
Is AI 100% Accurate?
AI's decision-making and accuracy hinge on the quality of data it relies on. Effective programming is essential to ensure that machines base decisions on accurate data. Additionally, prioritizing privacy and data security is crucial. AI systems must access encrypted and secure data to uphold the integrity of their operations.
What is Siri's IQ?
23.9
