American billionaire Larry Allison suggested the creation of a single database to store all information about US citizens, including their genetic data, for the purpose of utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance public services. Ellison made this proposal at the World Government Summit in Dubai while discussing with former Prime Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair.
The founder and former CEO of Oracle believes that artificial intelligence will greatly transform people’s lives in the near future. However, he insists that for this evolution to occur effectively, various data types such as spatial information, economic indicators, medical records, genomic data, and infrastructure details need to be amalgamated. According to Ellison, this integration is the “missing link” necessary for the successful implementation of AI in public administration.
Ellison asserts that such a unified system will elevate healthcare quality by enabling personalized treatment approaches and enhance food production by examining soil conditions and predicting yields. He is confident that AI can aid in managing social services and identifying instances of fraud.
Despite the potential benefits, Ellison’s proposition has sparked concerns regarding personal data protection. The creation of a global centralized repository containing such sensitive information could serve not only as a tool for streamlining public services but also as a mechanism for extensive surveillance.
Skeptics fear that establishing a single database encompassing all citizens’ details, including their genetic codes, could materialize the depictions seen in science fiction movies. In cinematic classics like “Matrix” and “Terminator,” scenarios where technologies gain complete control over human data lead to disastrous outcomes. The prevailing question arises: Who can ensure that such AI will not spiral out of control or be exploited against individuals?
In addition to the apprehension of extensive monitoring, critics also highlight vulnerability to cyber attacks. The centralized storage of personal data presents a prime target for cybercriminals, and any breach of this extensive information could result in unprecedented leaks and pose threats to national security.