In an age where cameras line every street corner and doorbell, billionaire Larry Ellison believes the next step in surveillance technology is already on the horizon. The Oracle cofounder envisions a world where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a central role in watching and analyzing every move, ensuring people behave better simply because they know they’re always being watched.
Ellison recently shared his thoughts with investors during Oracle’s financial analyst meeting. He expressed excitement about how AI would soon manage vast networks of surveillance tools, including security cameras, police body cameras, and even doorbell cameras.
In Ellison’s view, AI won’t just monitor these devices, but it will also analyze the footage to detect any potential problems in real-time. “We’re going to have supervision,” Ellison said during the meeting. “Every police officer is going to be supervised at all times, and if there’s a problem, AI will report that problem and report it to the appropriate person.”
The billionaire’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion about what this kind of AI-fueled oversight could mean for society. Ellison paints a picture of a world where everyone—whether citizen or police officer—would have their actions scrutinized by technology. “Citizens will be on their best behavior because we are constantly recording and reporting everything that’s going on,” he added.
A High-Tech Future for Law Enforcement?
One of Ellison’s more eye-catching predictions was that AI drones could replace police cars in high-speed chases. According to Ellison, “You just have a drone follow the car. It’s very simple in the age of autonomous drones.” While it remains unclear whether these drones would be broadcast live on TV, as car chases often are today, the implications are clear: AI could drastically change how law enforcement operates.
Ellison’s vision isn’t just theoretical. Oracle, the software giant he cofounded, is already diving deep into AI-driven initiatives. The company is working on several AI projects, one of which involves a collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. As one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, with a reported net worth of $157 billion, Ellison is using his resources to explore these future technologies.
The Ethics of AI-Powered Surveillance
While Ellison’s predictions might sound like a leap into science fiction, they raise important ethical questions about the use of AI in surveillance. Will AI make societies safer by deterring crime, or will it strip away privacy in the name of security?
Critics argue that such widespread surveillance could lead to a loss of personal freedom. Walking down a street today already feels like being in a panopticon—a place where every move is monitored. But if Ellison’s vision comes to pass, this kind of surveillance would not only grow more widespread but also become far more invasive.
The question then becomes: how much surveillance is too much? And are people willing to trade their privacy for the promise of safety and “good behavior”?
Oracle’s Push into AI
For Ellison and Oracle, the future is undoubtedly tied to AI. The company is pushing aggressively into the AI industry, seeking to capitalize on the technology’s potential. From predictive analytics to cloud computing, Oracle aims to become a leader in AI, positioning itself at the forefront of technological change.
With AI’s rapid development, companies like Oracle are racing to integrate this cutting-edge technology into their services. But Ellison’s remarks about AI-powered surveillance stand out as a bold and, for some, troubling prediction about where the technology could lead society.
A Billionaire’s Vision for the Future
Ellison’s children, who have made names for themselves in Hollywood—Megan Ellison founded Annapurna Pictures, and David Ellison is poised to lead Paramount—are exploring different worlds of influence. But Larry Ellison seems focused on shaping the future of technology and surveillance. As one of the world’s richest men, his ideas have the potential to influence how technology will be used for years to come.
Whether you find Ellison’s predictions thrilling or chilling, one thing is clear: the future of AI will bring significant changes to how we live, work, and interact with each other. As AI continues to evolve, it’s not just the technology that will change—our societies, laws, and behaviors may need to evolve with it.
In Ellison’s world, the lines between privacy and security are becoming increasingly blurred. And if his vision of AI-driven surveillance comes true, we might all find ourselves living in a future where our every move is recorded and reported in the name of “good behavior.”
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