AI Detection of Planned Crimes in Prison Calls

AI Model Trains on Inmate Communications

A US telecom company has developed an AI model that analyzes years of inmates' phone calls to identify potential criminal activities.

Securus Technologies, headed by president Kevin Elder, initiated this project in 2023, leveraging a vast repository of recorded calls. One notable example includes a model trained on seven years of conversations from the Texas prison system, with intentions to expand this initiative to other jurisdictions.

However, this approach has sparked significant controversies. Prisoner rights advocates argue that such surveillance constitutes invasive monitoring, and courts have not stipulated ample restrictions on this technology's application.

Innovators Under 35 Nominations Open

Exciting news from MIT Technology Review: Nominations are now open for the 2026 Innovators Under 35 competition. This prestigious annual list celebrates the top 35 young scientists and inventors globally, a tradition that has been upheld for over two decades.

It’s quick and complimentary to nominate yourself or an individual you know.

Key Technological Highlights

• New York’s Crackdown on Pricing Algorithms: Visiting retailers must disclose if user data informs their pricing strategies.
• White House Media Bias Tracker: A new initiative highlights a 'media offender of the week' with various implications.
• AI Impact on Consulting Firms: Junior workers in big firms are facing salary freezes for the third consecutive year.

Quote of the Day

“[I hope AI] comes to a point where it becomes sort of mental junk food and we feel sick and we don’t know why.” — Jenna Ortega, discussing AI’s influence in filmmaking.