Blab AI
Americans Back Targeted AI Surveillance, Oppose Mass Tracking, Survey Finds
A recent survey released by Utah‑based LiveView Technologies (LVT) shows that most U.S. adults support the use of artificial‑intelligence (AI) in security cameras when the technology is applied to specific criminal activities, but they reject broad, indiscriminate monitoring.
The study, conducted by the Harris Poll and covering 2,089 adults, found that 94 % of respondents believe that security cameras in public spaces can help detect or solve crimes. The report also reports that 60 % of participants say AI‑enabled cameras should be used to spot suspicious behavior before it escalates, and 59 % support the use of AI to locate missing children or pets. Only 12 % of respondents said they would oppose AI deployment in public spaces.
However, the survey highlights a sharp divide when it comes to facial‑recognition technology. A majority—63 %—expressed concern that cameras equipped with facial‑recognition software could track them while exercising civic rights, such as attending protests or town‑hall meetings. The concern is higher among Democrats (72 %) than Republicans (55 %). The report states that “targeted identification of violent offenders is acceptable, but algorithmic tracking of ordinary citizens at civic gatherings is a direct violation of the public trust.”
The findings come against a backdrop of increasing use of AI‑driven surveillance tools across the United States. License‑plate recognition (LPR) systems, for example, have become common on highways and in city traffic cameras. The case of Ivan Miller, an Iowa man charged with killing three women in southern Utah, illustrates how LPR helped law enforcement locate him in Colorado in March. While LPR is a valuable tool for policing, it has sparked debate over how much data cities collect and who can access it.
In Provo, Utah, residents raised concerns in January that the city’s participation in the Flock Safety camera network could contribute to a “national mass surveillance network” that tracks anyone traveling along major roads. The report cites this incident to illustrate the public’s apprehension about widespread data collection.
LiveView Technologies, founded in 2005, produces mobile security units that combine solar power, cameras, and two‑way audio. The company’s trailers are used by retailers such as Walmart, Home Depot, and Safeway, and by law‑enforcement agencies in cities like Rochester, New York. While LVT’s technology is often marketed as a safety tool, the survey suggests that the public is willing to accept it only when it is narrowly focused on criminal activity.
The survey’s results also reveal a paradox: a large portion of the population expresses conceptual hesitation about surveillance or AI security footage, yet an overwhelming majority believe that cameras can help solve crimes. This dichotomy indicates that while Americans value public safety, they also demand clear limits on how surveillance data is collected and used.
Policy makers and industry stakeholders are watching the survey closely. The Harris Poll’s data may influence local governments that are deciding whether to adopt or expand AI‑enabled camera networks. At the same time, privacy advocates continue to push for regulations that restrict facial‑recognition use in public spaces, especially during civic events.
In sum, the LiveView Technologies survey paints a nuanced picture of American attitudes toward AI surveillance. The public largely supports targeted use of AI in security cameras for crime detection and prevention, but it rejects broad, indiscriminate monitoring and is wary of facial‑recognition technology that could track ordinary citizens. The next steps for lawmakers, law‑enforcement agencies, and technology providers will involve balancing the benefits of AI‑driven safety tools with the privacy concerns that the survey highlights.
The study, conducted by the Harris Poll and covering 2,089 adults, found that 94 % of respondents believe that security cameras in public spaces can help detect or solve crimes. The report also reports that 60 % of participants say AI‑enabled cameras should be used to spot suspicious behavior before it escalates, and 59 % support the use of AI to locate missing children or pets. Only 12 % of respondents said they would oppose AI deployment in public spaces.
However, the survey highlights a sharp divide when it comes to facial‑recognition technology. A majority—63 %—expressed concern that cameras equipped with facial‑recognition software could track them while exercising civic rights, such as attending protests or town‑hall meetings. The concern is higher among Democrats (72 %) than Republicans (55 %). The report states that “targeted identification of violent offenders is acceptable, but algorithmic tracking of ordinary citizens at civic gatherings is a direct violation of the public trust.”
The findings come against a backdrop of increasing use of AI‑driven surveillance tools across the United States. License‑plate recognition (LPR) systems, for example, have become common on highways and in city traffic cameras. The case of Ivan Miller, an Iowa man charged with killing three women in southern Utah, illustrates how LPR helped law enforcement locate him in Colorado in March. While LPR is a valuable tool for policing, it has sparked debate over how much data cities collect and who can access it.
In Provo, Utah, residents raised concerns in January that the city’s participation in the Flock Safety camera network could contribute to a “national mass surveillance network” that tracks anyone traveling along major roads. The report cites this incident to illustrate the public’s apprehension about widespread data collection.
LiveView Technologies, founded in 2005, produces mobile security units that combine solar power, cameras, and two‑way audio. The company’s trailers are used by retailers such as Walmart, Home Depot, and Safeway, and by law‑enforcement agencies in cities like Rochester, New York. While LVT’s technology is often marketed as a safety tool, the survey suggests that the public is willing to accept it only when it is narrowly focused on criminal activity.
The survey’s results also reveal a paradox: a large portion of the population expresses conceptual hesitation about surveillance or AI security footage, yet an overwhelming majority believe that cameras can help solve crimes. This dichotomy indicates that while Americans value public safety, they also demand clear limits on how surveillance data is collected and used.
Policy makers and industry stakeholders are watching the survey closely. The Harris Poll’s data may influence local governments that are deciding whether to adopt or expand AI‑enabled camera networks. At the same time, privacy advocates continue to push for regulations that restrict facial‑recognition use in public spaces, especially during civic events.
In sum, the LiveView Technologies survey paints a nuanced picture of American attitudes toward AI surveillance. The public largely supports targeted use of AI in security cameras for crime detection and prevention, but it rejects broad, indiscriminate monitoring and is wary of facial‑recognition technology that could track ordinary citizens. The next steps for lawmakers, law‑enforcement agencies, and technology providers will involve balancing the benefits of AI‑driven safety tools with the privacy concerns that the survey highlights.
