Privacy and Surveillance

The topic “Privacy and Surveillance – How AI impacts personal privacy, data protection, and mass surveillance” explores the ethical, legal, and societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in relation to individual freedoms and rights. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into everyday life, concerns about data security, consent, and transparency continue to grow. These technologies have the potential to enhance privacy protection through advanced encryption and anonymization methods, but they also introduce risks of invasive surveillance, data misuse, and algorithmic bias. The balance between innovation and safeguarding individual rights remains a critical challenge for policymakers, businesses, and society at large, requiring ongoing discussions, regulations, and ethical considerations to ensure responsible AI deployment.

We chose topic because AI is becoming deeply integrated into our everyday lives, from social media algorithms to facial recognition in public spaces. While AI brings convenience and innovation, it also raises serious concerns about personal privacy and the potential for mass surveillance. I wanted to explore how data collected by AI systems can be used, misused, or even abused — especially when individuals aren’t aware of how their information is being tracked or stored.

With governments and corporations increasingly relying on AI for monitoring and prediction, it's important to understand the ethical and legal boundaries we must establish. This topic is not just relevant for tech experts but for every individual who uses digital devices — because privacy is a fundamental human right, and AI is reshaping what that means.