The chapter explores a case where surveillance technology failed to detect a sinking ship, leading to tragic consequences. It delves into the use of AI surveillance technologies at borders and the potential weaponization against humanitarian workers. The discussion also touches upon data exploitation, regulating international organizations, ethical considerations, and the need for humane solutions for migrants and refugees.
Climate change, political instability, hunger. These are just some of the forces behind an unprecedented refugee crisis that’s expected to include over a billion people by 2050. In response to this growing crisis, wealthy governments like the US and the EU are employing novel AI and surveillance technologies to slow the influx of migrants at their borders. But will this rollout stop at the border?
In this episode, Tristan and Aza sit down with Petra Molnar to discuss how borders have become a proving ground for the sharpest edges of technology, and especially AI. Petra is an immigration lawyer and co-creator of the Migration and Technology Monitor. Her new book is “The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”