Facial recognition technology is a mainstream tool available to any individual or organization. Subscribers can tap into a database with hundreds of millions of faces indexed and clearly recognizable. Cameras are installed in most public and private spaces to take advantage of this technology, and a new ecosystem of apps emerges that integrates facial recognition across all product categories: dating apps, shopping apps, neighborhood apps, games, and more.
–from Forecasting Skills: See the Future Before it Happens course by Institute for the Future
The Institute for the Future presented some guide questions to keep the conversation going. Here are my responses:
How would this world be different from today?
There will be a new definition for data privacy in this world. And since hundreds of millions of faces are already indexed and recognizable, criminals will find it challenging to hide unless they know how to disappear from the grid.
Privacy becomes a price you pay in exchange for convenience.
What would you be excited about in this future?
I am not incredibly excited about this future because anyone now has the capacity (or means) to subscribe to the technology (including bad actors).
This kind of facial recognition technology will also pose concerns for people who don’t want to be indexed this way.
However, pinpointing bad actors would be faster, and this might speed up judicial processes.
What would you worry about in this future?
I worry that the technology will be taken advantage of for the wrong reasons. And since the market can capitalize on it, I have apprehensions on how the data will be stored and used. A hacked database will also pose a threat to security.
And since cameras will also be installed in private places, freedom as we know it will never be the same again.
Big brother is always watching.
Who benefits in this future?
Software developers, researchers, venture capitalists, big tech companies, start-ups, law enforcers, the government, bad actors.
Places with high crime rates might also benefit in this future.
Who is at a disadvantage in this future?
People who do not want to be a part of this future will be at a disadvantage. It appears that there is no option to opt-out of this kind of technology.
Do you share the same sentiments like I do? Let’s keep the conversation going! Feel free to message me here or share this post with a friend.
To read more about this kind of future, here’s an article on Forbes by Bernard Marr, a strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies.
jessa 