2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase
Corporation Level Ethics of AI for Surveillance and Cybersecurity
Document Type
Student Presentation
Presentation Date
4-24-2026
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Sondra Miller
Abstract
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes further integrated into cybersecurity, workplaces, and daily life, companies face a complex dilemma. AI can help with large-scale threat detection and malware protection based on behavior, however, it also creates significant ethical and security issues. This research examines the evolving field of corporate AI ethics, where business goals often conflict with public privacy and global security. While companies like Anthropic have stood on ethical principles, like refusing to remove ethical safeguards under threat of the cancellation of lucrative government contracts, others have faced backlash over surveillance overreach. The controversy around Amazon’s 2026 Ring Doorbell “Search Party” Super Bowl ad, displaying AI’s ability to scan a neighborhood’s camera network for lost pets, exposed the danger of the normalization of surveillance systems that could be easily repurposed for unauthorized tracking. Emerging public scrutiny led to the ending of Amazon’s/Ring’s partnership with Flock Safety, characterizing a turn to reactive ethics. Through these cases and academic perspectives on agentic AI and data privacy, this poster explores how corporations can balance AI-driven security with privacy protection.
Recommended Citation
Munt, Gage; Miller, Sondra; Grant, Simeon; Myers, Joseph; Nye, Tyra; Deur, Michael; Anta, Alex; and Nelson, Miranda, "Corporation Level Ethics of AI for Surveillance and Cybersecurity" (2026). 2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase. 140.
https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/under_showcase_2026/140