Target: Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria
Goal: Don’t use artificial intelligence as mass surveillance system for dissidents.
Governments around the world have found a new tool for cracking down on dissent and free speech. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has coordinated with and bolstered a rise in widespread surveillance. While these systems are touted as a means to increase security and safety, in reality they have been weaponized to spy on and sometimes arrest individuals – like protesters and reporters – who have run afoul of the government.
Many nations of Africa have become the latest participants in this disturbing trend. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in smart cameras and other AI-driven technology. The primary beneficiary and distributor of these systems is China, which has a notorious human rights record itself. Facial recognition and other forms of surveillance have already gained reportedly widespread use against activists and protesters in Kenya and Uganda. Unfortunately, these actions discourage the type of large-scale movements that have historically led to real and meaningful reform in Africa and on other continents.
Laws, if not thoughtfully crafted, could provide validation to this emerging threat. Sign the petition below to compel African leaders to ensure technological progress does not set back human rights progress.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Tinubu,
Crime reduction and urbanization are lofty goals, but they cannot be used as a cover for continued violations of rights. The former objectives often occur through the grit and determination of individuals and communities who relentlessly strive for something better. If these individuals live in fear of their governments and of the sophisticated new resources these governments are deploying to contain and harass them, then true progress will never come.
Please proceed cautiously with facial recognition, surveillance, and other artificial intelligence-powered technology. Do not let these instruments of potential good instead become weapons of oppression and regression, as has reportedly happened in Uganda and Kenya.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Hustvedt
