Seven questions of ethics facing Artificial Intelligence

Sundar Pichai, writing on Google blog, defined Artificial Intelligence (AI) this way: “AI is computer programming that learns and adapts.” He went on to further list out some amazing things one could do with AI, like sensors to predict wild fires, monitor cattle hygiene, diagnose diseases and more.

Further he listed out 7 principles that, according to Pichai, will guide the work that Google will carry out in the field of AI. These principles include sensitivity to people’s privacy and a commitment to upholding standards of scientific excellence.

Even while we stand at the cusp of a revolution that’s likely unprecedented in human history, there’s an elephant in the room a lot of people are looking away from: ethical issues.

Continue reading “Seven questions of ethics facing Artificial Intelligence”

From cars to supermarkets to apps: How much everyone knows about you

Like it or not, practically none of your data is really private anymore. Apparently, public is the new private.

It’s no secret that any data that you voluntarily share on the internet will no longer be private, whether you like it or not, whether you explicitly permit or not. Data privacy, at least data that’s online, is almost a misnomer.

But what about the data you haven’t expressly permitted anyone to share?

What do various business enterprises, data brokers and analytics agencies know about you?

Continue reading “From cars to supermarkets to apps: How much everyone knows about you”

Facebook shared your data with others – secretly

A recent investigation by The New York Times indicates Facebook may have given access to more data to other companies than it told anyone about. 

Is it possible that Facebook has been cheating on millions of its users worldwide and also governments and investigating agencies? A recent investigative report by The New York Times clearly points Facebook has Continue reading “Facebook shared your data with others – secretly”

Social Credit System China Part 2: Implementation, Benefits, Criticism

In Part 1 of China’s Social Credit System, we covered the basics of the credit system of China. We talked about the weaknesses of the current credit system in China and compared the current credit score system in developed countries like US, Germany, Switzerland and so on.

Next, we identified Continue reading “Social Credit System China Part 2: Implementation, Benefits, Criticism”

Social Credit System China: A detailed study, Part 1

Google Social Credit System China and chances are most sites you check out will call it dystopian and Orwellian.

They will tell you how intrusive the Chinese Social Credit System is and how it runs with little regard to data privacy.

Is that really the truth? How bad is the Chinese Social Credit System? Is it unfair and too intrusive Continue reading “Social Credit System China: A detailed study, Part 1”

Everything you should know about China’s 3-year AI action plan

The Chinese government’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced its 3-year action plan for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2017.

Over the past year since the announcement, experts have come to realize the plan is ambitious to the point of being scary. The proposals set in the MIIT 3-year plan Continue reading “Everything you should know about China’s 3-year AI action plan”

Government mass surveillance going too far?

How much of government surveillance is too much surveillance is a question that has been troubling people since a long time. But before we analyze that, let’s look at surveillance definition in Wikipedia:

“…surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, activities, or other changing information for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting people.”

In case you missed Continue reading “Government mass surveillance going too far?”