Karen Levy, assistant professor at Cornell University, discusses the social aspects of surveillance and monitoring as well as the potential dangers of technology and surveillance. She explores the impact of data collection on marginalized communities and emphasizes the need to be critical of AI systems. The podcast also delves into hybrid job roles and the importance of understanding occupational culture when implementing technology.
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Quick takeaways
Surveillance and monitoring technology can be used abusively towards marginalized groups, as seen in extensive research into truck driver surveillance.
Responsible deployment of technology requires considering the unintended consequences and long-term effects, as well as addressing underlying causes of societal issues rather than solely relying on technology as a solution.
Deep dives
The Interdisciplinary Background of Karen Levy
Karen Levy has a background in law and sociology, which led her to explore the intersection between technology and social control. As an assistant professor at Cornell University, she focuses on the social aspects of surveillance and monitoring in her research. This interdisciplinary background allows her to analyze how technology is used to enforce rules in various contexts, such as workplaces and intimate relationships.
Surveillance as a Means of Enforcing Expectations
Karen Levy explores the use of surveillance as a tool to enforce rules and expectations. Whether it is state or federal laws, organizational rules, or behavioral norms within relationships, technology plays a significant role in monitoring and recording people's actions. Levy's research delves into the implications and consequences of this surveillance, particularly concerning issues of privacy, ethics, and the impact on marginalized communities.
Concerns and Ethical Considerations in Surveillance Technology
Levy acknowledges that while technology can have positive roles in society, caution should be exercised to ensure ethical and privacy concerns are addressed. The increase in data collection and the interplay between artificial intelligence and data collection pose challenges regarding its potential impact on marginalized groups. Levy emphasizes the importance of considering the unintended consequences and long-term effects of data collection, emphasizing the need for responsible and ethically conscious deployment of technology.
Technology as a Band-Aid Solution and the Importance of Structural Changes
Levy highlights the need to critically evaluate the use of technology as a solution to societal issues. Often, technology is employed as a band-aid approach to problems that may have deeper economic, social, or cultural roots. She argues that structural changes and addressing underlying causes, such as labor laws or industry incentives, may be more effective than solely relying on technological solutions. Recognizing the complexities of problems and considering alternative approaches are therefore vital when implementing technology.
Today we’re joined by Karen Levy, assistant professor in the department of information science at Cornell University. Karen’s research focuses on how rules and technologies interact to regulate behavior, especially the legal, organizational, and social aspects of surveillance and monitoring. In our conversation, we discuss how data tracking and surveillance can be used in ways that can be abusive to various marginalized groups, including detailing her extensive research into truck driver surveillance.
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