The Real Victims of the AI Surveillance Panopticon? Crime Fiction Writers
You have to get creative, and technical, to write a whodunnit in an age where cameras blanket every corner of the country. The post The Real Victims of the AI Surveillance Panopticon? Crime Fiction Writers appeared first on Futurism .
The rise of AI-powered surveillance cameras and data brokers has created a new challenge for crime fiction writers. Writers must now consider the omnipresence of modern surveillance technology in their stories to maintain believability and keep their audience engaged. Authors like Samantha Downing and Mark Coggins have incorporated this tension into their narratives, with Downing making it the central conceit of her 2025 novel "Too Old for This."
Coggins, a former software engineer, explores how this technology can be exploited for criminal purposes, including framing innocent parties. The growing use of AI-powered video cameras, such as Flock, has raised concerns among the public, with reports indicating that at least 50 police officers across the US have been accused of using these cameras to stalk women.
Despite backlash, local city leaders have been resistant to dropping this technology. Crime writers must invest time in researching these systems and consulting experts to ensure their stories remain grounded in reality.
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