IELTS Reading Practice: Ethical Issues in the Use of AI for Surveillance

The IELTS Reading section challenges test-takers to demonstrate their English comprehension skills through various text types and question formats. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: “Ethical issues in the use of AI for surveillance.” This subject has appeared in past IELTS exams and, given its relevance in our increasingly digital world, is likely to resurface in future tests. Let’s dive into a practice exercise that will help you prepare for this type of content in your IELTS Reading exam.

Ethical AI Surveillance

Practice Test: AI Surveillance and Ethics

Reading Passage

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many aspects of our lives, including surveillance systems. While AI-powered surveillance offers numerous benefits, such as enhanced public safety and efficient crime prevention, it also raises significant ethical concerns. As these technologies become more prevalent, society must grapple with the complex moral implications of their use.

One of the primary ethical issues surrounding AI surveillance is the potential for privacy infringement. Advanced AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data from various sources, including CCTV cameras, social media, and personal devices. This capability allows for unprecedented levels of monitoring and tracking of individuals’ movements, behaviors, and even emotions. Critics argue that such pervasive surveillance could lead to a “Big Brother” society, where personal privacy becomes a relic of the past.

Another concern is the potential for bias and discrimination in AI surveillance systems. AI algorithms are trained on datasets that may contain inherent biases, reflecting societal prejudices. For example, facial recognition systems have been shown to have higher error rates for certain ethnic groups and genders. When these biased systems are used in law enforcement or border control, they can perpetuate and exacerbate existing social inequalities.

The use of AI in predictive policing also raises ethical questions. While the ability to forecast criminal activity may seem beneficial, it can lead to over-policing in certain communities and the stigmatization of individuals based on demographic factors. This approach may violate the principle of presumption of innocence and lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where increased surveillance results in higher crime detection rates, justifying further surveillance.

Data security is another critical ethical issue. The vast amounts of personal data collected by AI surveillance systems are vulnerable to breaches and misuse. Hackers or malicious actors could exploit this information for identity theft, blackmail, or other nefarious purposes. Moreover, there are concerns about how governments and corporations might use or share this data, potentially leading to abuse of power or erosion of civil liberties.

The lack of transparency in AI decision-making processes also poses ethical challenges. Many AI algorithms operate as “black boxes,” making it difficult to understand how they arrive at certain conclusions or recommendations. This opacity can make it challenging to hold systems accountable for errors or biased outcomes, particularly when they are used in high-stakes situations like criminal justice or national security.

As AI surveillance technologies continue to advance, there is a growing call for ethical frameworks and regulations to govern their development and deployment. Proponents argue for the implementation of “ethical AI” principles, which include transparency, fairness, accountability, and respect for human rights. Some suggest the creation of independent oversight bodies to monitor the use of AI surveillance and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Balancing the benefits of AI surveillance with ethical considerations is a complex task that requires ongoing dialogue between technologists, policymakers, ethicists, and the public. As society navigates these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize the protection of individual rights and democratic values while harnessing the potential of AI to enhance public safety and security.

Questions

1-5. Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. According to the passage, one of the main ethical concerns about AI surveillance is:
   A) The high cost of implementing such systems
   B) The potential for privacy infringement
   C) The difficulty in operating complex AI algorithms
   D) The lack of public understanding of AI technology

2. The term “Big Brother” society in the passage refers to:
   A) A society where older siblings have more authority
   B) A government program to monitor family relationships
   C) A dystopian scenario of pervasive government surveillance
   D) A social media platform for family connections

3. The passage suggests that AI surveillance systems may perpetuate social inequalities due to:
   A) Intentional programming by developers
   B) Lack of funding for AI research
   C) Inherent biases in training datasets
   D) Public resistance to new technologies

4. Predictive policing using AI is criticized in the passage because:
   A) It is not effective in reducing crime rates
   B) It requires too much computational power
   C) It may lead to over-policing and stigmatization
   D) Police officers lack the training to use AI systems

5. The “black box” problem in AI decision-making refers to:
   A) The physical appearance of AI surveillance devices
   B) The difficulty in understanding how AI reaches conclusions
   C) The use of encrypted data in AI systems
   D) The high cost of AI hardware

6-10. Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

6. AI surveillance systems can process data from various sources, including CCTV cameras, social media, and .

7. Facial recognition systems have shown higher for certain ethnic groups and genders.

8. The principle of ___ may be violated by predictive policing techniques.

9. is a major concern regarding the vast amounts of personal data collected by AI surveillance systems.

10. There are calls for the creation of ___ to monitor the use of AI surveillance and ensure ethical compliance.

Answers and Explanations

1. B) The potential for privacy infringement
   Explanation: The passage states, “One of the primary ethical issues surrounding AI surveillance is the potential for privacy infringement.”

2. C) A dystopian scenario of pervasive government surveillance
   Explanation: The passage mentions “Big Brother” in the context of “pervasive surveillance” where “personal privacy becomes a relic of the past,” alluding to a dystopian scenario of widespread government monitoring.

3. C) Inherent biases in training datasets
   Explanation: The passage explains that “AI algorithms are trained on datasets that may contain inherent biases, reflecting societal prejudices.”

4. C) It may lead to over-policing and stigmatization
   Explanation: The text states that predictive policing “can lead to over-policing in certain communities and the stigmatization of individuals based on demographic factors.”

5. B) The difficulty in understanding how AI reaches conclusions
   Explanation: The passage describes the “black box” problem as making it “difficult to understand how they arrive at certain conclusions or recommendations.”

6. personal devices
   Explanation: The passage lists “CCTV cameras, social media, and personal devices” as sources of data for AI surveillance systems.

7. error rates
   Explanation: The text mentions that facial recognition systems “have been shown to have higher error rates for certain ethnic groups and genders.”

8. presumption of innocence
   Explanation: The passage states that predictive policing “may violate the principle of presumption of innocence.”

9. Data security
   Explanation: The passage introduces this concept by stating, “Data security is another critical ethical issue.”

10. independent oversight bodies
    Explanation: The text suggests “the creation of independent oversight bodies to monitor the use of AI surveillance and ensure compliance with ethical standards.”

Common Mistakes

When tackling IELTS Reading questions on complex topics like AI ethics, test-takers often make the following mistakes:

1. Misinterpreting technical terms: Ensure you understand key concepts like “Big Brother,” “predictive policing,” and “black box” in context.

2. Overlooking specific details: Pay close attention to nuances, such as the difference between “privacy infringement” and “data security.”

3. Falling for distractors: Be cautious of answer options that seem plausible but are not supported by the text.

4. Ignoring context: Consider the overall theme and tone of the passage when interpreting individual statements.

5. Rushing through the text: Take time to comprehend the complex ideas presented, especially in passages with technical content.

Vocabulary Focus

• Surveillance: /səˈveɪləns/ (noun) – close observation, especially of a suspected person
• Pervasive: /pəˈveɪsɪv/ (adjective) – spreading widely throughout an area or group of people
• Bias: /ˈbaɪəs/ (noun) – prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another
• Stigmatization: /ˌstɪɡmətaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun) – the action of describing or regarding someone or something as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval
• Nefarious: /nɪˈfeəriəs/ (adjective) – wicked or criminal

Grammar Spotlight

Pay attention to the use of modal verbs in discussing possibilities and ethical concerns:

• “AI-powered surveillance could lead to a ‘Big Brother’ society”
• “Hackers or malicious actors might exploit this information”

These modal verbs (could, might) are often used in academic writing to express potential outcomes or hypothetical situations.

Tips for Success

To excel in IELTS Reading passages on complex topics like AI ethics:

1. Familiarize yourself with current technological and ethical debates.
2. Practice reading scientific and academic articles to build your vocabulary and comprehension skills.
3. Develop your skimming and scanning techniques to quickly locate relevant information.
4. Regularly engage with news sources that cover technology and ethics to stay updated on these topics.
5. When answering questions, always refer back to the passage and avoid relying solely on your own knowledge of the subject.

By mastering these skills and staying informed about contemporary issues, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle even the most challenging IELTS Reading passages. Remember, practice makes perfect, so continue to engage with diverse and complex texts as part of your IELTS preparation.

For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on ethical concerns in AI and automation and ethical issues in digital identity verification. These resources will help you build a comprehensive understanding of the ethical landscape in technology, which is increasingly relevant in IELTS exams.