Spider-Man is watching you. And his excuses are the same as AI companies in the real world

In Tom Holland's latest Spider-Man film, Brand New Day, Peter Parker utilizes an AI-powered surveillance system to monitor an entire city. This mirrors the use of such technology seen in other Marvel movies, such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where Nick Fury describes Project Insight as a means to neutralize threats before they occur, prompting Steve Rogers' famous retort about punishment following crime.

In the film, Parker's AI assistant tracks a specific individual using facial recognition across every security camera, thus violating the privacy of countless innocent citizens. This scenario is becoming increasingly plausible, as real-world AI surveillance companies like Palantir and Flock Safety develop similar technologies. Palantir, for instance, has partnered with Israel's military, and Flock Safety's ALPR cameras are used across 49 US states, allowing law enforcement to track vehicle movements.

However, these technologies are often justified in the MCU and real life as tools for safety and preventing terrorism. The film does not delve into the ethical implications of mass surveillance, suggesting that it might be normalizing this practice. CNN recently reported on concerns over police misuse of Flock Safety's ALPR cameras, with instances of officers spying on exes or stalking women.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation also raised concerns about the use of such technologies in politically sensitive contexts, such as monitoring protesters and activists. While Flock Safety's technology does not include facial recognition, it still exemplifies mass automated surveillance. The film sparked a social media discussion about the dangers of AI and mass surveillance, but the lack of exploration into the ethical concerns leaves viewers wondering if these technologies are being normalized at an alarming rate.