This reflection has two parts. In total, you should submit two paragraphs - one for part 1 and one for part 2. For both parts, responses must be original. They may not be copied verbatim from the videos or anywhere else, nor should they be generated by AI tools. As stated in the syllabus, you may use such tools to improve the language of your responses, but if you do, please include your original words beneath your revised submission. Reflections submitted late through Wednesday at 11:59pm will have a maximum grade of 80%. Reflections submitted more than 24 hours late will have a maximum grade of 60%.
Part 1:
SCENARIO: You are a serving as a city council member in a city that has seen a recent uptick in crime. The city is considering implementing an advanced AI-powered video surveillance system in some public spaces (e.g., parks, streets, and transportation hubs) with the goals of increasing public safety and responding quickly to emergencies. The AI system can recognize faces, detect suspicious behaviors, and track individuals across multiple cameras.
At a city council meeting, community members express concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse. One resident argues that constant surveillance would make them feel like they are always being watched, and is a violation of their personal freedom. Another expresses concerns that the AI might misidentify individuals, particularly people from marginalized groups, leading to false accusations or discrimination. A third individual is worried the collected data could be hacked or used for purposes beyond preserving well-being, such as for advertising or personal tracking by private companies.
Write a paragraph addressing the ethics of such a surveillance system. Consider watching this two-minute video on AI-powered surveillance by Good Systems to help develop your reasoning. You may address the questions below or others.
What balance should be struck between public safety and individual privacy?
How should concerns about privacy and data security be addressed?
What safeguards could be put in place to prevent misuse or discrimination by the AI system?
Part 2:
Reflecting on the content of this module (including all videos and reading), write a paragraph (5–10 sentences) that includes one or more of the following:
Insightful questions;
Clarification questions about ambiguities;
Comments about the relation of the content to previous content;
Solutions to problems or exercises posed in the readings or videos;
Critiques;
Thoughts on what you would like to learn about in more detail;
Possible extensions or related studies;
Thoughts on the topic's importance; and
Summaries of the most important things you learned.
Part 2 of this reflection is designed both to encourage you to engage with the videos before Thursday class and also to allow us to incorporate some of your responses into the Thursday class discussions.