In Machines We Trust: When AI watches the streets

The term ‘smart city’ paints a picture of a tech-enabled oasis—powered by sensors of all kinds. But we’re starting to recognize what all these tools might mean for privacy. In this episode, we meet a researcher studying how this is being applied in Iran and visit one of the nation’s top smart cities, to learn how its efforts there have evolved over time.

We Meet:

University of Oxford and Article19 Human Rights Researcher Mahsa Alimardani

City of Las Vegas Chief Innovation Officer Michael Sherwood

City of Hope Director of Campus Support Operations Mark Reed

Sounds:

How will artificial intelligence change the cities we live in? - BBC Ideas via YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXxyCBimRyM 

‘Smart’ cities promise economic and environmental benefits to the developing world - CBC News via YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u08A7yiTmu4 

Singapore is building a city in China - CNBC via YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP11XeIV1ZA 

Global Smart Cities - The China Current via YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qmiqHWD6Uc 

Footage appears to show Iranian riot police confronting students at university in Tehran - The Guardian via YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgQshPJohmg 

China: facial recognition and state control - The Economist via YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2gMNrUuEY 

Facial recognition: Concerns over China's widespread surveillance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT6KEy_QXvM

Credits:

This episode was reported and produced by Jennifer Strong and Anthony Green with help from Emma Cillekens. It was edited by Mat Honan, and mixed by Garret Lang, with original music by Garret Lang and Jacob Gorski. Artwork by Stephanie Arnett.