Critical Perspective on AI – Marwan Madkour

As a senior studying at an American university abroad, my perspective on technology is constantly evolving as I prepare to enter the global workforce. Before this course, I mostly saw AI as innovation and advanced technology. However, after listening to the “Tech Won’t Save Us!” podcast featuring Timnit Gebru and watching “Model Employee,” my perspective changed significantly. I realized that AI is not just about technological progress; it is also connected to power, inequality, privacy concerns, and corporate control.

One of the most surprising things I learned was how much AI is driven by corporate hype rather than pure innovation. The podcast revealed how companies often market AI as something magical while ignoring serious issues like bias, discrimination, and privacy violations. I was also shocked by how much personal data AI systems collect without full consent. This connected strongly to “Model Employee,” where wearable AI technology tracked not only an employee’s work performance but also her sleep, personal life, and social behavior. It was disturbing to see how private data could impact someone’s career, financial rewards, and even personal relationships.

These materials are strongly connected to our class discussions about AI bias, ethics, and data privacy. In class, we explored how AI systems can increase inequality and misuse personal data. The podcast showed these issues on a broader societal level, while the film demonstrated how “AI surveillance” can directly affect workers. Together, they made it clear that AI can be used not only for efficiency but also for surveillance, control, and profit.

As a student preparing to enter the workforce, this has changed how I will approach technology. I will be more cautious about the personal data I share online and more critical when evaluating AI systems in professional settings. Rather than focusing only on convenience or productivity, I will pay closer attention to ethical concerns like fairness, privacy, and accountability.

In the future, I believe this course should further explore topics such as workplace surveillance and the economic power of major tech corporations. Understanding these larger social, political, and ethical issues is essential as AI becomes increasingly integrated into both our personal lives and future careers.