Today I’m going to take you on a wild ride through one of my wacky tech experiments and some crazy thoughts it sparked about AI and surveillance.
Navigating Blind with My Phone
So, 10-15 years ago, I decided to try something insane—I wanted to navigate to and through the city of The Hague while partially blindfolded. I wore special shades to obscure my vision and relied solely on my smartphone for guidance. No guide dog, no cane—just me and my phone.
Using several navigation apps, including one with computer vision, I set off. The experience was surreal and kind of hilarious. While the shades didn’t make me completely blind, the challenge gave me a new perspective on technology and its capabilities [especially for those lacking common abilities like sight].
✍️ Note: I missed making my own point: the thrill and excitement from changing persona is exhilarating and unique. Help me remind to tell the Spy Within Me story to breach a healthcare’s headquarter that sanctioned and paid for it.
Surveillance and the Dutch Digital Dragnet
As I stumbled through the streets, I couldn’t help but think about surveillance. TV shows like “CSI” and “Person of Interest” often exaggerate the clarity and reach of satellite imagery, but in real life, things can get eerily close.
Could intelligence agencies track us with such precision? It sounds far-fetched, but given how we train AI with vast amounts of data from videos, books, and online interactions, it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
This brings us to a Dutch law known as the “sleepnet” or “dragnet.” Officially called the “Wet op de inlichtingen- en veiligheidsdiensten” (Wiv) 2017, it allows Dutch intelligence agencies to collect large amounts of data, not only from targets but also capturing incidental by-catch—other people’s data who are not directly under suspicion.
Imagine fishing and catching not only fish but also other sea creatures like octopus and sharks. This law sparked a lot of controversies, raising serious questions about privacy and trust. The “Sleepnet” law or “dragnet” allows the collection of internet data, but the catch is that it always includes more data than intended. There was a referendum in 2018 where a significant portion of the Dutch population opposed it, showing the public’s concern over privacy.
Balancing Optimism and Caution
As we embrace AI, it’s important to stay both optimistic and cautious. Technology offers incredible benefits but demands careful and ethical considerations.
So, as we move forward with AI and tech, let’s make sure we trust the tools we use, ensuring they earn that trust every step of the way.
Cheers,
Mike
PS.✍️ Remember what a spy is called? Right: a secret agent. Now rethink the concept of AI agents, the Arrival Mind Paradox and the AI Manipulation Problem.
PPS. The current Dutch prime minister is Dick Schoof, former head of the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service which is basically the CIA of the Netherlands (or the KGB/FSB if we’re comparing heads of states that were also head of their national intelligence agency)
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