FBI Seeks AI-Powered Drones for Widespread Surveillance, Fueling Fears of Mass Monitoring.
The FBI has launched a search for artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance the capabilities of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), sparking concerns among civil liberties advocates that the agency is seeking to expand its surveillance powers. The move comes as law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on drones to combat crime, respond to emergencies, and patrol borders.
The request for information, which was posted on Thursday, seeks vendors with expertise in AI and machine learning technology to develop solutions that can enable drones to conduct facial recognition, license plate recognition, and the detection of weapons. This could potentially lead to a significant expansion of mass surveillance, posing serious concerns about the First Amendment rights of individuals participating in activities protected by the Constitution.
According to Matthew Guariglia, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, these technologies are "essentially tailor-made for political retribution and harassment." He notes that they are not designed to spy on specific individuals under investigation but rather to conduct indiscriminate mass surveillance that could disproportionately affect marginalized communities and those involved in politically active activities.
Critics also warn that the use of AI-powered drones could exacerbate standoffs between law enforcement and civilians, particularly if the technology is used to detect and respond to perceived threats. Guariglia emphasizes that no company has yet proven the viability of AI-based firearm detection systems, which are specifically mentioned in the FBI's request for information.
As protests and activism continue to rise, concerns about government overreach and the erosion of civil liberties remain acute. The recent deployment of unmanned vehicles to record footage of protesters during a Minneapolis riot highlights the potential risks of this technology. The use of drones for surveillance is already a contentious issue in cities like New York, where the NYPD has increased its drone usage without sufficient oversight or transparency.
The implications of this request are far-reaching and unsettling. As one analyst noted, "We're seeing right now from Donald Trump a full-on authoritarian takeover of the U.S. government." The use of AI-powered drones by law enforcement agencies could become an extension of this broader effort to curb dissent and silence marginalized voices.
As the nation grapples with issues of surveillance, free speech, and police accountability, it is essential to scrutinize initiatives like this one carefully. Will you help us continue to cover these critical stories?
The FBI has launched a search for artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance the capabilities of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), sparking concerns among civil liberties advocates that the agency is seeking to expand its surveillance powers. The move comes as law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on drones to combat crime, respond to emergencies, and patrol borders.
The request for information, which was posted on Thursday, seeks vendors with expertise in AI and machine learning technology to develop solutions that can enable drones to conduct facial recognition, license plate recognition, and the detection of weapons. This could potentially lead to a significant expansion of mass surveillance, posing serious concerns about the First Amendment rights of individuals participating in activities protected by the Constitution.
According to Matthew Guariglia, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, these technologies are "essentially tailor-made for political retribution and harassment." He notes that they are not designed to spy on specific individuals under investigation but rather to conduct indiscriminate mass surveillance that could disproportionately affect marginalized communities and those involved in politically active activities.
Critics also warn that the use of AI-powered drones could exacerbate standoffs between law enforcement and civilians, particularly if the technology is used to detect and respond to perceived threats. Guariglia emphasizes that no company has yet proven the viability of AI-based firearm detection systems, which are specifically mentioned in the FBI's request for information.
As protests and activism continue to rise, concerns about government overreach and the erosion of civil liberties remain acute. The recent deployment of unmanned vehicles to record footage of protesters during a Minneapolis riot highlights the potential risks of this technology. The use of drones for surveillance is already a contentious issue in cities like New York, where the NYPD has increased its drone usage without sufficient oversight or transparency.
The implications of this request are far-reaching and unsettling. As one analyst noted, "We're seeing right now from Donald Trump a full-on authoritarian takeover of the U.S. government." The use of AI-powered drones by law enforcement agencies could become an extension of this broader effort to curb dissent and silence marginalized voices.
As the nation grapples with issues of surveillance, free speech, and police accountability, it is essential to scrutinize initiatives like this one carefully. Will you help us continue to cover these critical stories?
. It's like they're trying to create a surveillance state without even realizing it, and that's a recipe for disaster. I mean, what's next? Drones everywhere watching our every move? The thought alone gives me chills 
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. It's time for us to speak out against these kinds of initiatives and fight for our rights as citizens.
. We need to stand up for what's right, even if it means challenging the status quo. The future is too important to let go of our freedoms just yet 
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The FBI is basically asking for a superpower to monitor everyone all the time. It's like they think we're just going to sit here and let them snoop on us 24/7. Newsflash: that's not how it works in a democracy! 
I mean, I get it, crime needs to be fought and emergencies need to be responded to, but can't they just use good old-fashioned policing like everyone else? 
It's getting creepier by the minute. And don't even get me started on license plate recognition – it's like they're trying to track our every move. 
I mean, can you believe this? They're basically asking for permission to turn our skies into a big ol' surveillance state 
. What's next? Drones watching your every move in your own backyard? 
It's like something straight out of Blade Runner, but instead of cool futuristic tech, we've got law enforcement agencies trying to monitor us all 
. I'm not saying it can't be used for good, but when does surveillance become too much of a bad thing? 
And what about our 4th Amendment rights, huh? 
It's like they're playing a game of cat and mouse with us, trying to see how many liberties we'll give up before it's too late 
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... what's next, gonna be drones in schools? 
i mean what's next? they're gonna start monitoring our thoughts and feelings too? 
seriously though, this is so concerning. my friend has family members who are activists and it makes me so nervous for them. like whats the point of "safety" if we can't even trust the government not to abuse their power? 
dont get me wrong, i'm all 4 transparency & accountability but come on, FBI u gotta do better than this 
. Reminds me of those old Tom Clancy novels where the government had all these secret surveillance programs... seems like we're back in that world, minus the espionage thriller vibes 
. Can we just slow down and think this through for once?
Can't we find ways to balance security with individual freedoms? 
It's like, we're already dealing with so many complexities in this world – do we really need to make it harder for people to express themselves online? 
but seriously, thats a major red flag. these techs r not meant 4 specific indivisuals only, but for the masses... that sounds like total overreach to me 
. Need more transparency, not tech 
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, i mean, what's wrong with just leaving ppl alone?! 