Military-grade AI threatens civilian privacy, report warns

Plus: Boom Supersonic’s fastest jetliner ‘Overture’ closer to reality Have you ever wondered if your employer is spying on your daily activities? For some workers, those concerns may be genuine. AI tools that were once developed to identify terrorist cells can be used to spot labor organizers so employers can illegally fire them before a union even has time to form. They may even encourage employers to avoid hiring such organizers in the first place. We've more on the brave new world of military-grade employee surveillance in our [Must Read]( below. But first, here’s [your video of the day](. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s start the week. Yesterday, Blueprint subscribers learned about the engineering challenges of using our oceans to remove CO₂. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Orca rampage threatens boaters in Iberia]( [Orca rampage threatens boaters in Iberia]( Attacks on yachts by Orcas, or “Killer Whales,” have become increasingly common, with over 300 reported incidents since 2020. Why might some of these intelligent marine mammals have changed their behavior? MUST READ [Military grade AI]( [Military-grade AI being used to spy on American civilians]( A new report raises concerns about the alarming use of military AI technology to spy on civilians, particularly in the workplace. Defense contractor-developed tools, now sold to employers, are using advanced data analytics to identify labor organizers, leakers, and critics. These tools may cross the line on privacy rights and reduce employees’ ability to organize or protest. The accuracy of these tools is questionable, as they often display biases and make faulty assumptions. A lack of regulation and accountability further exacerbate the issue. In their report, Wired emphasize the need for transparency and urge companies to disclose that they are using surveillance tools and to implement regulations secure employee rights and civilian privacy. [Read More]( TRANSPORTATION [Boom Supersonic’s fastest jetliner ‘Overture’ closer to reality]( Significant progress is being made on what has been called the "world's fastest airliner". Named “Overture,” the sustainable fast passenger liner is being developed by Boom Supersonic, who also revealed major milestones on its “Symphony” engine at the Paris Air Show. [Read More]( THE SPONSOR OF THE DAY [Discover the secret to a pristine home without lifting a finger!]( We understand the frustration of maintaining a clean home while juggling a busy lifestyle. It's time-consuming, physically demanding, and takes away precious moments that could be spent on what truly matters to you. Hard floor, soft floor, low pile carpet; name any material and the HONITURE Robot Vacuum is ready to leave it sparkling clean with its 3500 Pa suction power. Apart from vacuuming, it can also function as a mop and also allows you to control the flow and usage of water in this case. Get the [HONITURE Robot Vacuum Cleaner]( and revolutionize your cleaning routine without breaking a sweat! [LEARN MORE]( CULTURE ‘I said no’: YouTuber MrBeast claims he declined invitation to join Titanic sub trip Popular YouTube creator MrBeast claimed in a tweet that he had been invited to join a trip on the Titan submersible to the Titanic wreckage earlier this month. MrBeast, however, declined the invitation. [Read More]( INNOVATION ‘Sexbomb’ name scrapped for planned Canadian hypersonic munition Canada-based Space Engine Systems has announced it is making good progress on its “Hello” spaceplanes and has also dropped its the name “Sexbomb” for one of its latest uncrewed hypersonic vehicles. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Are you concerned about your employer spying on you? [It makes me nervous]( [I've nothing to hide]( [It should be illegal]( [I'm spying on them]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Netflix's plan to use AI to replicate the viewers likeness in their shows does not appeal to 53 percent of you, and 26 percent would expect to be paid. 53% No, too weird 26% If they paid me, yes 14% Yes, sounds fun 8% My face would break it QUOTE OF THE DAY Surveillance techniques familiar to authoritarian dictatorships have now been repurposed to target American workers. Wired Magazine [Interesting Engineering]( THINGS WE LOVE [Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones]( [HOOBRO TV Stand]( [Abolife Electronic Keypad Deadbolt]( [Thermos Funtainer]( AND ANOTHER THING - [NASA begins first yearlong analog mission to mimic Mars-like conditions on Earth]( - Sea change: [The engineering challenges of harnessing our oceans to remove CO₂]( [premium] - [Japan's military is testing Elon Musk's Starlink]( - NASA [successfully recycles 98 percent of urine and sweat into drinking water]( on the ISS - [Scientists train fruit-picking robots with silicon raspberries]( - New study reveals [hummingbirds get drunk on alcohol-laced nectar]( - Ad Astra: [The future of space propulsion technology]( [premium] - [Physicists uncover a breakthrough material in bosonic matter]( - Scientists use microscopy to [investigate the toughness of spider silk]( - Unveiling the secrets of the brain-gut link: [Engineers make new discoveries]( [Subscribe to IE+]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Privacy Policy]( [Term of Service]( © Copyright 2023 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 530 Fifth Ave, 9th floor New York, NY 10036 | All Rights Reserved You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here.](