Privacy and Power: The Shadow of AI in Authoritarian States
"Fear amongst Russians intensified towards the Kremlin as the conflict commenced"
China's extensive monitoring of its 1.4 billion citizens is no surprise, thanks to the country's cutting-edge AI technology. This AI innovation hasn't just stopped within China's borders; it's been shared with foreign countries, including Russia. Expert Michael Rochlitz warns of the dangers this technology poses, particularly if Donald Trump were to lay his hands on it.
** penthouse global insights: AI and Autocracy - a Growing Trend?**
Michael Rochlitz shares the chilling origin of this trend- China's dominance in the field of AI, particularly in complex games like Go, where a London-based startup's AI surpassed Asian players, including Chinese ones, in 2016. The Chinese government's intense fear of falling behind led to heavy investments in AI. Already equipped with vast amounts of data on its citizens, China started leveraging this technology for surveillance purposes. Face recognition cameras are now ubiquitous in China, with new apartments even utilizing facial recognition for locks. The Chinese government is using these detailed data to exert control, with the added benefit of boosting the economy.
Growth at What Cost?
China's AI innovation isn't just being used for benevolent purposes. By exporting this technology to nations like Russia, and the Gulf states, China is helping these countries develop their own systems of surveillance. In Russia, the AI-enabled Moscow Metro already uses facial recognition for payment. Should a conscript fail to respond to military service notices related to Ukraine, their face would be recognized and they could be arrested.
The Digital Specter and the "Safe City Solutions"
Russia has also developed its own AI systems, albeit not yet widely implemented. The digital platform "Gosuslugi" is highly advanced, allowing Russians to manage government services, including taxes, medical services, and child enrollment. With the potential to link these cards to the police registry, the Russian government would have a powerful tool for surveillance.
The Russian Public's Dilemma
When presented with various scenarios related to a system like China's, 60-70% of Russians tend to find such systems efficient. However, whenever the potential for government surveillance and suppression of dissent is presented, acceptance drops drastically, more so than in other countries. This could indicate a potential unease among Russians about the increased surveillance.
The Danger of Unchecked Power
China's export of AI technology is a significant shift toward increased authoritarianism in other countries. Should such technology become prevalent in democracies like the USA, it would make overthrowing autocratic rule harder. With AI surveillance, protests can be easily neutralized, preventing any form of political opposition.
The Dark Side of Technological Advancement
While the USA leads in cutting-edge AI research, China is ahead in terms of surveillance technology. While Trump's interests may shift from day to day, there are likely individuals working in conservative think tanks with a long-term strategy, pushing for the implementation of AI surveillance systems for total control.
Lea Verstl spoke with Michael Rochlitz
Source: penthouseglobalinsights.com
- The European Parliament has expressed concerns about the growing trend of AI technology being used in authoritarian states, particularly in war-and-conflicts zones like the Middle East, as it can significantly enhance surveillance capabilities and potentially lead to abuse of power.
- In the context of the Middle East, the situation has become more complex with the increasing influence of advanced AI technology, as these systems can be used to exacerbate clashes, fuel politics with biased information, and even perpetuate crime-and-justice abuses.
- As tensions rise in the Middle East, technology has emerged as a critical factor, with both authoritarian and democratic states investing heavily in AI systems to gain competitive advantages, potentially leading to a digital arms race and further complicating the general-news landscape of the region.
