Beware and Be Aware

To the editor:

I read with interest Lisa Musick’s article in the November 21 Fayette County Record titled “Artificial Intelligence & the Rural Way of Life: What it means for Fayette County.”

This article was timely, absolutely on target and filled with truth. Artificial Intelligence (AI) undoubtedly will eventually influence the lives of all of humanity. Because of the likely benefits of AI, it is being accepted worldwide because of the potential conveniences and efficiencies it offers impacting most details of our everyday lives.

At the same time, the flipside of all the convenience and efficiency being promised lurks possible dangers. To be sure, Artificial Intelligence may very well offer positive results. However, AI can bring about features that may not be so desirous. It has been said that AI is “morally neutral”. It can be designed for positive uses and can be designed for not so good or nefarious uses.

One of the many nefarious uses of AI is in use today.

Countries around the world, including the United States, are using AI for surveillance of the population including observation and monitoring. Countries like China are already not only observing their population but actively controlling them using massive numbers of cameras in cities all tied to a central AI data center. Don’t be deceived into believing that governments won’t utilize AI surveillance to control and penalize citizens for minor infractions.

The infrastructure is being built in this country to use AI in many ways – it’s happening today. What we can look forward to in the U.S. is the expanding the role of what is called RealID (think modernized driver’s licenses) and will eventually lead to the use of a national Digital ID. A Digital ID will have a chip that will contain an enormous amount of personal data on the holder – income, height, weight, where they ate lunch yesterday, how many and what types of guns they own, etc. It’s in the works.

I am really not a nut-job conspiracy theorist who sees bad guys around every corner. I’m neither left-wing nor rightwing – goodness knows there are a lot of left and right wing radicals out there. I’m just a guy that wants to stay current with what’s going on in the world. Beware and be aware.

Ron Briggs Ledbetter