AI & Human Values: Surveillance and Prediction Lecture 8

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What term describes the integration of surveillance into everyday life following significant events and advancements?

Surveillance culture (correct)

Surveillance ethics

Conductive surveillance

Participatory observation

Which technological advancement has contributed to the rise of surveillance culture?

Television

Radio broadcasting

Typewriters

Smart devices (correct)

What was one of the significant events that contributed to the rise of the national security state?

The Cold War

The Great Depression

The 2008 financial crisis (correct)

The invention of the internet

What enhances the ability to practice surveillance among different entities?

Generation of novel insights through combined datasets Signup and view all the answers

What type of surveillance involves individuals monitoring themselves as part of their daily activities?

Participatory self-surveillance Signup and view all the answers

What does the individual express concern about regarding the internet?

The decline of privacy due to surveillance Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main goals of Palantir as stated by Peter Thiel?

To reduce terrorism while preserving civil liberties Signup and view all the answers

What does Palantir emphasize in their product offerings?

Human-driven analysis of real-world data Signup and view all the answers

What type of partnerships rose post 9-11 as mentioned in the content?

Public-private partnerships Signup and view all the answers

How does the individual view their actions regarding privacy?

As self-interested rather than heroic Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the 2008 financial crisis have on government agencies?

Overhaul and budget cuts for government agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a sociotechnical infrastructure for surveillance?

Public transportation systems Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'dataveillance'?

Collection and analysis of data for predictive purposes Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the shift from a 'surveillance state' to a broader acceptance of surveillance in daily life?

Culture of surveillance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key feature of modern surveillance technologies?

Ability to combine disparate datasets Signup and view all the answers

How does modern surveillance differ from historical concepts like Bentham's Panopticon?

It includes decentralized and data-driven approaches Signup and view all the answers

What role does self-tracking play in the culture of surveillance?

It contributes to social control and self-optimization Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of increased state-corporate partnerships in surveillance?

Emergence of global corporate monopolies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of vision technologies in the context of the panopticon?

To facilitate hierarchical observation and normalize judgment Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Orwellian' typically refer to in discussions of surveillance?

Social control and discipline via the threat of surveillance Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher's work is closely associated with the concept of the panopticon?

Michel Foucault Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between data surveillance and capitalism as discussed in the context?

Data surveillance enhances profit motives within capitalism Signup and view all the answers

How does the panopticon differ in its representation compared to the modern concept of Big Brother?

The panopticon is a physical structure, whereas Big Brother is a sociopolitical metaphor. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of modern technology is suggested to contribute to a potential digital panopticon?

Continuous data collection and monitoring Signup and view all the answers

What was Jeremy Bentham's vision for the Panopticon primarily focused on?

Establishing a system of discipline through surveillance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT describe a feature of the dominant surveillance imaginaries?

Empowerment of individual privacy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Surveillance and Prediction

Course: Artificial Intelligence & Human Values
Lesson: Surveillance and Prediction
Instructor: Margarita Boenig-Liptsin
Date: Fall 2024, ETH Zürich

Surveillance Defined

Surveillance is derived from the Latin words "sur" and "veiller," meaning "over" and "to watch," respectively.
It involves observing and monitoring individuals or groups.

Animating Questions

How has information and computing technology supported mass surveillance throughout history?
What are some critical moments in the history of surveillance?
How does AI-driven surveillance compare to historical forms?
What is the connection between data surveillance and capitalism?

Historical and Contemporary Surveillance

The 2024 Paris Olympics involved the use of AI-controlled surveillance.
The Parisian surveillance exemplifies a contemporary model of mass surveillance that integrates several systems.

Surveillance and Power

Bentham's Panopticon is an architectural design meant to facilitate oversight. Its design allows for constant observation through a central guard tower.
The panopticon symbolizes the potential of social control and power through constant surveillance.
Foucault connected the idea of the “panopticon” to more modern disciplinary forms of surveillance.
Surveillance systems, both historical and modern, are rooted in the exercise of power.

The Surveillance Imaginary

"Orwellian" is a common term for a totalitarian state emphasizing constant surveillance.
The use of technologies, such as screens and cameras, to control social behaviour is part of the Orwellian model.

"Dataveillance"

Combines the concepts of data and surveillance.
Surveillance characterized by its large scale, low cost, granular nature, and continuous and pervasive nature.
Data surveillance is used in ways that have uneven or differential impacts on individuals and communities.

Surveillance Infrastructures

Surveillance infrastructures include cell phones, internet traffic, social media, video chat platforms, smart devices, and CCTV systems. Data from these diverse systems is combined and used to develop predictive analysis and insights.

The Culture of Surveillance

The concept of surveillance has evolved from a government-centric model to a more pervasive and often-internalized model affecting individuals.
Self-tracking and voluntary sharing of data are part of a broader culture.

Key Takeaways (I)

Surveillance is not solely about privacy; it is fundamentally about power structures, social order, and control.
Bentham's Panopticon and Orwell's 1984 represent paradigms of surveillance although these models do not completely capture all aspects of modern surveillance.

Key Takeaways (II)

Surveillance has become normalized over time through technological advancement (like cell phones and internet systems), government policies, and economic pressures.
Increased surveillance has led to "participatory self-surveillance" where individuals internalize and voluntarily comply with the surveillance dynamic.
Combining datasets from various sources produces insights that enable greater forms of surveillance.

What Have We Learned So Far?

Students are expected to compile an inventory of key takeaways from the class.

Final Exam

Format: short-answer questions (1-2 paragraphs)
Content: connecting course concepts and examples to personal study areas.
Covering key takeaways from lectures and readings.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the concepts of surveillance within the context of Artificial Intelligence and Human Values. It examines the historical evolution of surveillance, the role of AI in modern practices, and the implications of data surveillance on society and capitalism. Dive into critical questions that challenge the ethical dimensions of surveillance today.