Grab The Pitchforks! AI Backlash Targets Flock Cameras & Data Centers

Turns out people don't like being spied on, having their jobs threatened, or having to pay more for electricity to support technology and infrastructure that is both powered by, and necessary to support AI. Huh. So, while we both celebrate Ohio as a great place to do business–particularly with regard to advanced manufacturing technology–we're also hearing that the natives are restless here, when it comes to police illegally using Flock license plate reader data to stalk and surveil citizens, and to build huge, energy-sucking data centers.  For example, this week, WTOL TV, in Toledo reports that vandals attacked at least three flock surveillance cameras in Toledo. We also have a report from ABC News, also centered on Toledo, about how a county official there tried to have their cameras shut down after it was revealed that 3,200 law enforcement agencies nationwide did more than 900,000 searches on their database in just one month. That didn't happen though, after pushback from the County Sheriff, who calls the technology a "game changer" when it comes to fighting crime. That's also the opinion of Akron's Police Chief, Brian Harding, who talked to us about how the City of Akron is both finding them extremely useful, and putting guardrails in place that limit how officers can access camera data. But those "guardrails" have not been holding everywhere. For example, in Reynoldsberg, OH, just east of Columubs, two police officers have resigned, two police officers have been placed on leave in Lynn, Massachusetts, near Boston, and a police officer was arrested and placed on leave in Lufkin, Texas. Ohio residents are also not particularly happy about big data center projects, which have become a political thorn in the side of Ohio's Republican US Senator, Jon Husted. He's facing criticism from his Democratic opponent, former US Senator, Sherrod Brown, and advice from Republican campaign experts who acknowledge his past, extremely enthusiastic support of data center construction while he was Lt. Governor, is an increasingly potent threat to his re-election campaign in November. But on the plus side, Ohio's current Lt. Governor, Jim Tressel, hit the road with Governor Mike DeWine this week, on their "Heart of Opportunity" tour, stopping in places like Toledo, Youngstown, Lima, and Cleveland, to talk up Ohio's renewed vigor when it comes to advanced manufacturing technology, particularly with regard to more eco-friendly, sustainable polymers. That is a huge deal here in Akron, where what was once "The Rubber City", is now gearing up to do some really cutting-edge research and development, thanks to a $160 million dollar National Science Foundation grant that is also being shared with other educational organizations in our area, including Case Western Reserve University. Listen now to find out how that is expected to supercharge the region's economy, from Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Steve Millard, and from Team NEO Chief Executive Officer, Matt Dolan.