Live data from Hacker News

Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

businessinsider.com

81–90 of 191 posts

Re: Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

#81
post #75

My suggestion, especially to those who strongly advocate such surveillance, is that those who support or implement it should be under an even greater measure of surveillance. A live feed of their activities 24/7 is necessary due to their participation and effecting in a tentative, unprecedented surveillance state where the watched would be extremely foolish not to keep an unblinking eye on the watchers, who bear the…

This is all fine, but those who ultimately own wealth and power will pull all the strings. At crucial moments the cameras watching the watchers will malfunction.

Re: Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

#83

Many blue collar workers are recorded all day long. In fact, it’d be tough finding a brick-and-mortar store that doesn’t have recording devices all over. Why is this news? Because it’s in a truck? Because it’s using AI?

Because it's Amazon it feeds the "Amazon mistreats its workers" narrative.

Re: Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

#85
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the fear and the expectation (based on extensive previous experience) is that this technology, regardless of it's stated purpose, will be used to eke out a few extra seconds of efficiency from human drivers. Which will likely lead to stress and extra fatigue. In my book, automating boring and repetitive tasks is good even if it leads to some job losses. Turning humans into robots by optimizing for every bit o…

Yes. Notice that if the goal was really "safety" (as stated), the company does not need a "live feed" ever, a warning to the driver is enough. After all his safety is in his own best interest.

Maybe but the nuance of understanding and influencing complex situations through communication is beyond the scope of current AI techniques. Humans could be trained to observe and intervene in ways that will increase safety rather than increasing driver's cognitive load.

Re: Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

#86

Maybe it's just that I live in Australia, a country that has very strict road safety laws and practices, which are generally supported by the community, given that our road fatality figures are now very low (in 2019 we had just under 1200 road deaths in a nation of 25.3M people - a low rate by world standards, particularly given how much we drive here). But I just don't see the cause for outrage over this - as long a…

> as long as the system really is focused on the safety of drivers and other road users.

That's the problem; nobody (rightfully) trusts Amazon to only have everyone's best interests at heart, or to not abuse this system. Because they have in the past, and they will in the future.

Re: Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

#87
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The reason for this is they think of people like they think about a server farm - and not just employees but customers too.

The reason for this is they think of people like they think about a server farm - and not just employees but customers too This is literally true, managers refer to workers as "resources". A resource is something that you use up and then discard. At least they are in their own way being honest about it.

Referring to me as a "resource" immediately destroys any good will I have for that person. I can no longer see them as a human from that point on wards.

I refer to managers as belonging to one or a mix of the "slave trader", "parasitic" or "demonic" classes. In my 10+ years in this profession, I am yet to come across a "manager" who doesn't fall under this categorization.

Re: Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

#88
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1984 is already one of the most terrifying books I've read, I can't imagine what it would have been if Orwell had foreseen the emergence of AI/ML technologies.

We need a follow up book, 2084. Maybe the vid screens are permanently strapped to your face and actively monitor you and act as an intermediary between you and your environment in order to prevent any anti party information from getting in.

2048 would be a better title.

Re: Amazon driver quits over AI-powered safety cameras in delivery vehicles

#90
post #75

My suggestion, especially to those who strongly advocate such surveillance, is that those who support or implement it should be under an even greater measure of surveillance. A live feed of their activities 24/7 is necessary due to their participation and effecting in a tentative, unprecedented surveillance state where the watched would be extremely foolish not to keep an unblinking eye on the watchers, who bear the…

Some of us would agree.

There are currently legal barriers to doing this. For example, recording audio without consent is criminal in Washington state and the basis is well argued.

There are many serious issues to such a monitoring system and shifts that would be necessary in society but some potentially amazing benefits. Imagine the end of "he said, she said". The reduction of incentives for running scams. The reduction in security related spending.

Post reply on HN