Most of my AI writings have been analysis and recommendations. For this piece am peering into the future at one of the things that should happen in the next few years.
AI based espionage is going to become a reality. This article will discuss private surveillance of individuals as against other forms of AI spying.
AI espionage can happen in many ways, some of which are listed below.
- Using agents to track individuals and their personal data in unauthorised and undesired ways, including buying such data available from the grey market.
- Capturing or using core personal data for purposes, for which permission has not been granted.
- Building AI models of people to predict how they would behave in certain situations and decisions, they would take when faced with a set of choices.
- Spreading AI processed false and manipulated messages through chat bots and social media mechanisms.
- Capturing fine nuances of an individual professional works through an AI program for replication with the intent of misuse.
- Deploying AI models illegally to substitute an individual at work or private matters.
- Using GPS location, data obtained by AI systems for unauthorised, misguided or commercial purposes.
- Using modified or manipulated AI images, videos, audios, and other media to falsely portray individuals and their actions.
The day when professional AI spy services will be available is not far off. The new breed of AI spies will work from home like cyber criminals. They will be tech savvy and connected to the grey world of traditional international spy rings forming an extension of the international spy ring. The data leaks (made by disgruntled employees, thieves, third party vendors and by design) from the mobile phone and personal device manufacturers and telecom companies will feed their work. Some of the bright, Technology savvy employees who have have been spurned or let go by companies could decide to transform into an AI spy.
Workplace surveillance using AI by employers is a serious violation of human rights. AI will be trained to systematically replace employees in call centers and Business Process Outsourcing industry through chatbots and agents.
Totalitarian governments could be the biggest AI spies. Mass Surveillance constitutes AI spying. EU GDPR explicitly excludes national security activities from its scope (Recital 16, Article 2(2)(d)). articles 5,6 and 23 dealing with Principles Relating to Processing of Personal Data, lawfulness of processing and Restrictions respectively indirectly limit mass surveillance. George Orwell’s book ‘Animal Farm’ gives a flavour of the loss of privacy, individual freedom and oppression caused by state spying. State surveillance is covered under Risk 7 of OECD report Invasive surveillance and privacy infringement.
The normal understanding of spying hitherto is that it is a hush-hush matter, not one that is strictly illegal in the eyes of the law. The AI spy’s work by contrast is progressed through illegality since it violates the fundamental rights and privacy of the individuals affected.
AI spying should be banned due to its mandatory need to employ inherently illegal techniques for obtaining data and creating AI models. The Government’s rights to employ mass surveillance should be ring fenced with adequate scope level, threat level, approval level legislations made after parliamentary discussion and vote.
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