The Download: spotting crimes in prisoners’ phone calls, and nominate an Innovator Under 35
The Download: Spying on Prisoners and the Future of AI
As we navigate the complex world of technology, it's essential to stay informed about the latest developments and their implications. In this edition of The Download, we'll delve into the world of AI, exploring its potential to predict and prevent crimes, as well as its impact on various industries and our daily lives.
AI-powered Crime Prevention
Securus Technologies, a US-based telecom company, has been training an AI model on years of inmates' phone and video calls to detect potential crimes. The company's president, Kevin Elder, revealed that they began building their AI tools in 2023, using their massive database of recorded calls to train models that can identify patterns and anomalies indicative of criminal activity. One of the models, created using seven years of calls made by inmates in the Texas prison system, has shown promising results.
However, not everyone is convinced that this approach is effective or even desirable. Prisoner rights advocates argue that the new AI system enables a system of invasive surveillance, with few limits to its power. As we continue to push the boundaries of AI, it's essential to consider the potential consequences of such technologies and ensure that they are used responsibly.
The Innovators Under 35 Competition
MIT Technology Review's annual list of Innovators Under 35 recognizes the world's best young scientists and inventors. This year, nominations are now open for the 2026 competition. The list has been produced by our newsroom for over two decades, and it's a testament to the incredible talent and innovation that exists among young people today.
If you know someone who is making a significant impact in their field, or if you're a young innovator yourself, consider nominating yourself or someone you know. The process is free and only takes a few moments.
The Must-Reads
Here are some of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories about technology that we've come across recently:
- New York Cracks Down on Personalized Pricing Algorithms: A new law in New York forces retailers to declare if their pricing is informed by users' data. This move has significant implications for the way companies interact with their customers and the way we think about data privacy.
- The White House Launches a Media Bias Tracker: The White House has launched a media bias tracker, complete with a "media offender of the week" section and a Hall of Shame. This move has sparked controversy and debate about the role of media in our society.
- American Startups Hooked on Open-Source Chinese AI Models: American startups are increasingly turning to open-source Chinese AI models, which are cheap and customizable. This trend has significant implications for the future of AI and the global economy.
- How Police Body Cam Footage Became Viral YouTube Content: Recent arrestees live in fear of ending up on popular YouTube channels, where their footage is often used for entertainment purposes. This trend raises important questions about the ethics of surveillance and the impact of technology on our society.
- Construction Workers Cash in on the Data Center Boom: The data center boom in the desert has created new opportunities for construction workers, but it also raises important questions about the environmental impact of these massive facilities.
The Quote of the Day
"I hope AI comes to a point where it becomes sort of mental junk food and we feel sick and we don't know why." - Actor Jenna Ortega outlines her hopes for AI's future role in filmmaking.
One More Thing
The weeds are winning. Since the 1980s, more and more plants have evolved to become immune to the biochemical mechanisms that herbicides leverage to kill them. This herbicidal resistance threatens to decrease yields, and at worst, it can even drive farmers out of business.
We Can Still Have Nice Things
A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten up your day. Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.
Deep Dive
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Illustration by Rose Wong
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