7am

The woman who spoke out against Google on AI

Jun 25, 2024

Former AI whistleblower Meredith Whittaker discusses the dangers of mass surveillance fueling AI and her role as President of Signal. Topics include ethical concerns at Google, the importance of private communication with Signal, encryption and privacy debates, and the power dynamics of AI.

18:26

Creator website

Episode guests

Meredith Whittaker

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Quick takeaways

Facial recognition technology threatens privacy rights and liberties, fueled by mass biometric data collection.

Meredith Whittaker's advocacy for ethical AI stems from AI misuse in surveillance, now promoting private encrypted communication through Signal app.

Deep dives

Facial Recognition Dangers

Facial recognition technology poses serious threats to individual rights and liberties, whether employed by governmental agencies or private entities. Despite its advertised benefits, research indicates that tech companies' assertions about its efficacy are unfounded. This technology hinges on mass biometric data collection, enabling continuous monitoring of individuals' activities and associations, which raises concerns regarding privacy infringement and surveillance.

AI Realist

02:54

Intro

4min

Ethical Concerns and Activism at Google

5min

The Importance of Private Communication with Signal

2min

Debate on Encryption and Privacy

5min

Exploring the Speaker's Perspective on AI Realism and Power Dynamics

3min

Meredith Whittaker turned her back on Google after raising concerns about the mass surveillance fueling AI, but she didn’t leave tech entirely.

The former AI whistleblower is now the President of Signal, a messaging app that keeps conversations encrypted – used by journalists, whistleblowers, drug dealers, militants and others who want to keep communications secure.

So why did she blow the whistle on Google? Is privacy the answer to AI? Or does privacy cause just as much harm as surveillance?

Today, President of the Signal Foundation Meredith Whittaker, ahead of her public appearance at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne, on the tech giants who hold our future in their hands.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: President of the Signal Foundation, Meredith Whittaker

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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