Whitney Webb is an investigative journalist, author, and researcher best known for her work on topics such as government surveillance, corporate power, and the intersection of technology, finance, and politics.
She gained widespread attention for her investigative work on the links between the intelligence community, powerful corporations, and global elite networks. Webb has contributed extensively to independent media outlets, particularly MintPress News and other alternative news platforms.
Whitney Webb's Criticism of AI Use Against People in U.S. Society
Whitney Webb has voiced strong concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surveillance, law enforcement, and the broader control of populations, particularly in the United States. Her criticisms center around several key issues:
Mass Surveillance and Privacy Erosion: Webb argues that AI technologies, particularly facial recognition and predictive analytics, are being employed by the U.S. government and corporations to conduct widespread surveillance on ordinary citizens. She highlights the dangers of AI systems being used to track, monitor, and profile individuals, often without their consent. This, according to Webb, leads to the erosion of privacy rights and increases the potential for authoritarian control.
Racial and Social Bias in AI Systems: Another significant criticism Webb has is the inherent biases in many AI systems. Many algorithms, especially those used in predictive policing and facial recognition, have been shown to disproportionately target minority groups, particularly Black and Latino communities. Webb emphasizes how these biases can lead to racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and the perpetuation of systemic inequality.
Weaponization of AI for Social Control: Webb has pointed to the use of AI for social control mechanisms, including the potential for "social credit" systems similar to those implemented in China, where AI monitors and influences personal behavior. She raises alarms about the use of AI to reinforce political agendas, manipulate public opinion, and undermine dissent. According to Webb, the data collected through AI-driven surveillance could be used to stifle political opposition or discredit individuals based on their political beliefs or activities.
Corporate Interests and Data Exploitation: Webb is critical of how big tech companies and their ties to intelligence agencies may be using AI technologies to extract and exploit personal data from individuals. She argues that the merging of corporate interests with state power creates a dangerous concentration of control over the population’s personal information, which can be used for profit or for strategic political purposes.
The Unchecked Power of AI: Webb warns that AI systems are rapidly being developed and deployed without sufficient oversight or regulation. The lack of transparency about how these systems work and who controls them, combined with the potential for AI to make autonomous decisions, is a critical issue. Webb fears that this could result in the centralization of power in the hands of a few entities—governments or corporations—leading to a dystopian future where personal freedoms are severely limited.
In summary, Whitney Webb's criticism of AI in U.S. society centers on its potential for widespread surveillance, its role in exacerbating social inequality, its use in controlling dissent, and the increasing concentration of power in both government and corporate hands. She calls for greater oversight and accountability in the deployment of AI technologies to ensure they are not used to infringe upon civil liberties or perpetuate systemic injustices.
How Can People Use ChatGPT to Defend Against A.I. Abuses?
People can use ChatGPT to defend themselves against AI in several ways, particularly by leveraging it as a tool for awareness, education, and empowerment. Here are a few practical strategies:
Understanding AI Systems: ChatGPT can help people understand how AI works, its potential biases, and its impacts on society. By asking questions about how algorithms work—whether in hiring, surveillance, or criminal justice—individuals can better recognize when they might be affected by biased or unfair AI systems.
Critical Thinking: ChatGPT can assist in developing critical thinking skills by helping people analyze AI-generated content or decisions, such as those from predictive policing or loan approval algorithms. People can learn how to question AI-driven recommendations or decisions and seek alternative viewpoints.
Privacy Protection: ChatGPT can provide advice on digital privacy and data protection, such as how to safeguard personal information, avoid surveillance, and reduce exposure to AI-based tracking systems. It can help people understand encryption tools, secure communications, and data-sharing practices to minimize their digital footprint.
Advocacy and Activism: ChatGPT can help individuals learn about activism and advocacy efforts aimed at regulating AI technologies. It can provide guidance on joining or supporting movements focused on AI transparency, ethics, and accountability, empowering people to push for fairer policies.
In these ways, ChatGPT becomes a resource for informing, protecting, and empowering people in the face of AI's growing influence.
Do You Buy This Crap?
Do you like my new article? It took me about 3 minutes to write and post.
Why am I working so hard at trying to entertain Substack readers with my human-based nonsense, when ChatGPT writes so much better than me?
Really. I want to know.
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