Google’s AI Is Telling Users That Flock Cameras Are Filled With Valuable Gold and Copper
It's AI-on-AI violence. The post Google’s AI Is Telling Users That Flock Cameras Are Filled With Valuable Gold and Copper appeared first on Futurism .
Google’s AI Overview recently provided an opportunity for potential Flock vandals by suggesting that the company’s controversial AI-integrated license plate readers (ALPRs) contain valuable metals such as gold, copper, and zinc. These ALPRs have been widely criticized, particularly on online platforms where privacy advocates often share memes and videos advocating for their destruction.
The idea behind these claims is that dismantling the cameras could result in a profit at a local scrapyard. However, the meme is based on a false premise, as ALPRs do contain trace amounts of valuable metals, but not in quantities that would be financially worthwhile. Google, being a well-known proponent of AI-enabled surveillance, failed to address the joke in its search results.
When searching for "how much gold does a Flock camera have," Google's AI Overview confidently states that the camera contains between 1 to 5 grams of gold, which, at today's gold prices, amounts to up to $650 per camera. Furthermore, Google claims that Flock's ALPRs hold anywhere from 2 to 23 pounds of copper, a seemingly impossible feat considering the device only weighs three pounds.
Supporting Google’s assertions are two dubious sources. The first is an anonymous Substack post from an account called "do.not.obey.do.not.comply," which claims the "rough scrap value of these metals per camera is estimated to be $150 to $500." This figure is based on "estimates based on scrap-value discussions," rather than actual reporting or financial information.
The second source is an AI-generated Instagram post that encourages vandals to dismantle the cameras to access their purportedly precious components. The account behind this post appears to belong to a cannabis grower, with other posts focusing on plant cloning, hydroponics, and cultivated cannabis. The irony lies in the fact that an AI-surveillance company's search engine is generating a false rationale for destroying another AI-surveillance company's product.
This situation highlights the current state of the AI-obsessed tech industry, where AI systems are sometimes creating their own problems. As of now, Google has not responded to inquiries regarding this matter.
Written by urgent.news from Futurism's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
