Artificial intelligence and mass surveillance: How concerned should we be?
But the question that arises strongly is, to what extent should we be concerned? Are we facing a natural development in the path of technological progress? Or are we steadily moving towards a digital world controlled by algorithms at every step we take?
In this article, we will delve deeply into the intersection of artificial intelligence and mass surveillance, discussing its ethical, legal, and social dimensions, to understand together the extent of the danger of this equation and whether the concern is justified or merely media exaggeration.
Artificial Intelligence: Tool or Authority?
At its core, artificial intelligence is neither evil nor good. It is a tool. But like any powerful tool, its use entirely depends on who owns it and how it is directed.Artificial intelligence is currently being used in a large number of surveillance fields:
Face recognition
Analysis of movement patterns in public spaces
Monitoring electronic accounts
Reading emotions from facial expressions or tone of voice
Predicting potential crimes based on digital behaviors
These technologies may seem impressive, but they open the door to many ethical questions.
Who watches the watcher?
The central question here is Who sets the limits of this surveillance?
And who guarantees that it won't be used for repressive, commercial, or even retaliatory purposes?
In many countries, governments use AI-powered surveillance technologies to monitor their citizens under the pretext of maintaining security. However, in reality, these tools are often used to stifle individual freedoms, suppress political dissent, and surveil journalists and activists.
Even in democratic systems, personal data leaks to major companies and is used to target individuals with specific advertisements or policies, raising concerns about "soft control" over human behavior.
Artificial intelligence has changed the game. Cameras no longer just record; they analyze, understand, and make decisions.
In China, for example, smart cameras equipped with facial recognition algorithms are used to identify individuals on the streets and link their movements to their social, financial, and even political records. In the United States, similar technologies are used to monitor suspects or observe gatherings.
It's not just about cameras. Phone applications, smart speakers, and even smartwatches have become mobile surveillance tools. They collect information about your location, your voice, your heart rate, and almost everything else.
Your purchasing pattern
The websites you visit
The words you use
The emotions you show
And this data is converted into files used by companies or governments to make decisions about you, without you having any role in it.
Think about this:
In many countries, governments use AI-powered surveillance technologies to monitor their citizens under the pretext of maintaining security. However, in reality, these tools are often used to stifle individual freedoms, suppress political dissent, and surveil journalists and activists.
Even in democratic systems, personal data leaks to major companies and is used to target individuals with specific advertisements or policies, raising concerns about "soft control" over human behavior.
Cameras don't sleep: How has artificial intelligence changed surveillance?
In China, for example, smart cameras equipped with facial recognition algorithms are used to identify individuals on the streets and link their movements to their social, financial, and even political records. In the United States, similar technologies are used to monitor suspects or observe gatherings.
It's not just about cameras. Phone applications, smart speakers, and even smartwatches have become mobile surveillance tools. They collect information about your location, your voice, your heart rate, and almost everything else.
When your identity is reduced to data:
One of the most dangerous things that AI-powered surveillance systems do is "strip" humans of their humanity. Your identity is reduced to a series of data:Your purchasing pattern
The websites you visit
The words you use
The emotions you show
And this data is converted into files used by companies or governments to make decisions about you, without you having any role in it.
Think about this:
Is it fair to be rejected for a job just because an algorithm decided that your online behavior does not match the "ideal employee model"?
Is it reasonable for someone to be denied entry into a certain country based on the analysis of their emotions from their facial expressions during an airport interview?
This question is often raised: Should we sacrifice part of our freedom for more security?
But what if this "sacrifice" is imposed on us without our choice?
What if the promised security is nothing but a facade to entrench control and domination?
Sometimes fear is used as a means to pass surveillance technologies. They are promoted as solutions to combat terrorism, crime, disasters... In return, we lose our right to privacy without realizing it.
Accelerating security investigations
Preventing crimes before they happen
Improving crowd management in crises
Remote monitoring of diseases and epidemics
Protection of critical infrastructure
But the question is, can these benefits be achieved without violating basic rights?
Artificial intelligence learns from data, and if this data is biased (racial, classist, sexist...), then the system will be as well.
Numerous cases have been observed where surveillance systems treat certain groups of people harshly or discriminatorily simply because they belong to a specific race or region. This threatens to create "automated discrimination" that cannot be held accountable.
We need:
Demanding laws that protect privacy
Participating in discussions about the ethical boundaries of technologies
Awareness of personal protection tools (VPN, encryption, etc.)
Self-education on how these systems work
Supporting initiatives that demand transparency and accountability
But it must turn into awareness, not panic, and into active participation, not withdrawal.
Artificial intelligence in mass surveillance is not just a future threat; it is a reality we are already living. The longer we delay in setting regulations, the higher the price we will pay.
Between security and freedom: The dilemma of the digital age.
But what if this "sacrifice" is imposed on us without our choice?
What if the promised security is nothing but a facade to entrench control and domination?
Sometimes fear is used as a means to pass surveillance technologies. They are promoted as solutions to combat terrorism, crime, disasters... In return, we lose our right to privacy without realizing it.
The other side: Are there real benefits?
It is fair to acknowledge that artificial intelligence in surveillance is not an absolute evil. There are undeniable benefits, such asAccelerating security investigations
Preventing crimes before they happen
Improving crowd management in crises
Remote monitoring of diseases and epidemics
Protection of critical infrastructure
But the question is, can these benefits be achieved without violating basic rights?
Artificial Intelligence and Bias: When Algorithms Become Racist.
One of the most problematic issues in this field is the matter of algorithmic bias.Artificial intelligence learns from data, and if this data is biased (racial, classist, sexist...), then the system will be as well.
Numerous cases have been observed where surveillance systems treat certain groups of people harshly or discriminatorily simply because they belong to a specific race or region. This threatens to create "automated discrimination" that cannot be held accountable.
What is our role as digital citizens?
In light of this technological invasion, we cannot remain silent.We need:
Demanding laws that protect privacy
Participating in discussions about the ethical boundaries of technologies
Awareness of personal protection tools (VPN, encryption, etc.)
Self-education on how these systems work
Supporting initiatives that demand transparency and accountability
Summary: Is the anxiety justified?
Anxiety is not only justified but necessary.But it must turn into awareness, not panic, and into active participation, not withdrawal.
Artificial intelligence in mass surveillance is not just a future threat; it is a reality we are already living. The longer we delay in setting regulations, the higher the price we will pay.
Open question for discussion:
Do you think that artificial intelligence in mass surveillance can actually be used ethically?
Or does the inherent danger in it outweigh any potential benefit?
Write your opinion in the comments... and let's open a conscious and genuine discussion about the future of privacy in a smart world.