Nvidia's powerful computing prowess is now being harnessed by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enhance its investigative capabilities. A recent $19,000 transaction reveals that ICE has renewed access to software tools for use by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division tasked with transnational crime enforcement. The move appears to be part of ICE's broader shift in focus under President Donald Trump's administration.
The partnership between ICE and Nvidia has sparked concerns over the potential misuse of large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for surveillance purposes. Critics argue that these technologies can perpetuate biases and flawed intelligence, putting innocent individuals at risk. Amos Toh, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, warned that such systems may be used to "identify persons of interest" and generate investigative leads.
HSI's mission has undergone significant changes since Trump signed an executive order in January 2020, directing the agency to prioritize immigration enforcement. The division's activities have been criticized for being overly aggressive, with agents making arrests for minor infractions and even resorting to violence. In June, HSI was involved in a controversy surrounding Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested outside an ICE facility.
Nvidia's involvement with ICE raises questions about the company's responsibility to ensure its technology is used lawfully. John Rizzo, Nvidia spokesperson, claimed that the company does not monitor the use of its general-purpose computers by US government employees, citing the millions of users across various sectors.
The partnership highlights the growing role of AI in domestic law enforcement and surveillance. While Nvidia emphasizes its commitment to adhering to international human rights frameworks, critics argue that such technologies can be exploited for authoritarian purposes.
As ICE ramps up its presence across the country, concerns over the potential misuse of LLMs and AI tools will only intensify. The Intercept urges readers to join us in holding accountable those who threaten democracy and press freedom.
The partnership between ICE and Nvidia has sparked concerns over the potential misuse of large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for surveillance purposes. Critics argue that these technologies can perpetuate biases and flawed intelligence, putting innocent individuals at risk. Amos Toh, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, warned that such systems may be used to "identify persons of interest" and generate investigative leads.
HSI's mission has undergone significant changes since Trump signed an executive order in January 2020, directing the agency to prioritize immigration enforcement. The division's activities have been criticized for being overly aggressive, with agents making arrests for minor infractions and even resorting to violence. In June, HSI was involved in a controversy surrounding Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested outside an ICE facility.
Nvidia's involvement with ICE raises questions about the company's responsibility to ensure its technology is used lawfully. John Rizzo, Nvidia spokesperson, claimed that the company does not monitor the use of its general-purpose computers by US government employees, citing the millions of users across various sectors.
The partnership highlights the growing role of AI in domestic law enforcement and surveillance. While Nvidia emphasizes its commitment to adhering to international human rights frameworks, critics argue that such technologies can be exploited for authoritarian purposes.
As ICE ramps up its presence across the country, concerns over the potential misuse of LLMs and AI tools will only intensify. The Intercept urges readers to join us in holding accountable those who threaten democracy and press freedom.
. I mean, what's next? AI-powered facial recognition at every border crossing? It's like they're playing with fire here, no joke 
. And that $19,000 transaction? That's just a drop in the ocean, you know? We need to be thinking about the bigger picture here 
. How are we going to hold these agencies accountable when it comes to the ethics of AI and surveillance? It's time for some serious regulation, ASAP 
Nvidia's decision to partner with ICE is a bit weird, tbh... like, we get it, they're trying to boost their investigative capabilities 
but at what cost? 
The whole thing feels super shady 
, especially considering the potential for these AI tools to perpetuate biases and put innocent people in harm's way 
. And what about John Rizzo saying he doesn't monitor how his tech is used by the government? 
that sounds like a major red flag 
to me... Nvidia needs to be more transparent about their responsibilities here 
. And honestly, have we thought through the implications of using AI tools to identify "persons of interest"? It sounds like something straight outta a dystopian novel 
. We need to make sure these tech giants are held accountable for how their products are used. Can't just let them slide because they're "general-purpose computers" 
. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that we need stricter regulations on AI use in law enforcement. It's time for some real scrutiny 
.
and what about those biases creeping in - does nobody think about the potential harm to innocent people?!? 
. we need more checks and balances, not just relying on "commitments" from companies like Nvidia 
.
. These large language models and AI tools are already kinda creepy, but when you add government agencies like ICE to the mix, it's just not a good combo 
.
. Nvidia says they don't monitor their tech use by government employees, but I'm like, how can we be sure that's true? 
This partnership with ICE just reeks of "we can't be bothered to check the ethics" vibes. Like, come on guys, you're the ones who get to decide if our data gets siphoned off for "investigative purposes". Give me a break! 
anyway, i think its super worrying that ice is using these powerful computers from nvidia for surveillance. i mean, we already know they have some sketchy methods, and now they're just gonna use AI to 'identify persons of interest' and generate leads? that sounds like a recipe for disaster 
. I mean, I get that we need better tech for law enforcement, but come on... $19k is a lot of money, and it's not like they're using it to make our lives safer or something. They're just gonna use it to scan people's info and potentially ruin innocent lives 
.
At the same time, isn't it super suspicious that they're using advanced tech like LLMs for surveillance purposes? 
. On the other hand, Nvidia should totally be held accountable for ensuring their tech isn't used to infringe on people's rights 
? I guess only time will tell... and hopefully, we'll have some tough questions thrown at Nvidia and ICE 
.