April 15, 2025

Concerns are mounting regarding the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in surveillance practices within the United States. While the world often views AI surveillance as primarily a foreign threat, evidence suggests that troubling abuses may be emerging closer to home.

Reports have drawn attention to the increasing ability of government agencies, led by individuals loyal to former President Trump, to implement AI monitoring technologies. Observers are wary of how this technology could be exploited given the current political climate.

“It’s a risky time for AI surveillance due to a combination of advanced digital technologies, abundant unsecured data, and a political environment that endangers people’s freedoms,” said an anonymous expert.

The mechanism of AI surveillance is not limited to international contexts. For instance, a newsletter from Politico highlighted potential uses of AI by the Department of Homeland Security to scrutinize social media activity. The AI can analyze millions of posts and summarize findings, raising fears about the implications for civil liberties.

The integration of AI tools isn’t merely limited to governmental oversight. Companies are also increasingly utilizing AI to monitor employees, often without sufficient legal safeguards in place. A lack of comprehensive privacy legislation leaves many workers vulnerable to invasive practices.

Many in the community advocate for the establishment of a national privacy bill to address these concerns, along with a prohibition on government agencies using AI for surveillance purposes. Experts caution that crossing into this kind of monitoring territory could have serious ramifications for democratic practices.