Eigenverlag/Self

Abstract:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most significant of the information and communications technologies beingapplied to surveillance. AI’s proponents argue that its promise is great, and that successes have been achieved, whereas itsdetractors draw attention to the many threats embodied in it, some of which are much more problematic than those arising fromearlier data analytical tools.This article considers the full gamut of regulatory mechanisms. The scope extends from natural and infrastructural regulatorymechanisms, via self-regulation, including the recently-popular field of ‘ethical principles’, to co-regulatory and formalapproaches. An evaluation is provided of the adequacy or otherwise of the world’s first proposal for formal regulation ofAI practices and systems, by the European Commission. To lay the groundwork for the analysis, an overview is provided of thenature of AI.The conclusion reached is that, despite the threats inherent in the deployment of AI, the current safeguards are seriouslyinadequate, and the prospects for near-future improvement are far from good. To avoid undue harm from AI applications tosurveillance, it is necessary to rapidly enhance existing, already-inadequate safeguards and establish additional protections.