This article was originally published by Daniel Taylor at Activist Post. 

A.I. driven social scores to supplant the Constitution?

Professor Larry Backer of Penn State University writes in a 2018 paper that resistance to social credit systems in the West could be dissolved when the masses are “socialized… as a collective” and “…the great culture management machinery of Western society develop a narrative in which such activity is naturalized within Western culture.”

A 2018 paper written by prominent law professor Larry Backer of Penn State discussed the ways in which a social credit system could be implemented in the West. Backer writes that the shift in law with this system will “…change the focus of public law from the Constitution and rule of law to analytics and algorithm…”

In the paper, titled “Next Generation Law: Data-Driven Governance and Accountability Based Regulatory Systems in the West, and Social Credit Regimes in China“, Backer describes moves to social credit in the West as “fractured”, but gives guidance on how societal norms could be steadily pushed to accept this system.

Backer proposes that the “great culture management machinery” of the West normalize the idea of social credit and sharing private data. Backer writes:

But is it possible to socialize the masses, or even mass democracy as a collective, to embrace this pattern of data disclosure beyond these immediately self-serving closed loop systems? Would it be possible for the state to develop systems for the enforcement of laws (criminal and regulatory) that depends on intelligence by inducing the masses to serve as positive contributors of data necessary for enforcement or regulation? The answer, in Western liberal democracies, may depend on the ability of the great culture management machinery of Western society– its television, movies and other related media–to develop a narrative in which such activity is naturalized within Western culture.

As Big Tech and artificial intelligence creep further into our lives, a grid of high tech surveillance has entangled us. As if to pacify resistance, these systems (Google Home, Apple watches, Amazon Alexa) offer “convenience” in the form of targeted ads, personalized content and other features.

In reality, this system is meant to determine whether or not you will be allowed to function in modern society.

The Trump admin is reportedly considering using this surveillance grid to monitor the population for signs of mental illness, triggering authorities to confiscate firearms from “dangerous individuals”.

In 2013, Old-Thinker News asked the question “Will Insurance Companies Use Smart Appliances to Monitor “Unhealthy” Habits?”

As this 2013 Wall Street Journal article stated your insurance company.

Artificial intelligence, programmed by power-hungry individuals, is steadily taking over our society. It is already censoring political opinions. It will be making medical, education, and financial decisions. Humans are to be sidelined. The social credit system will be watching you closely for any deviant behavior. If you aren’t careful, you will become an outcast. Access to food, transportation, and medical care will be denied.