One of the biggest selling points of local AI is privacy. Since data never leaves the user’s device, it reduces exposure to breaches and leaks. But here’s the catch:
That same local access can be exploited for surveillance, especially in enterprise or authoritarian settings.
Edge AI cameras in workplaces, for example, could be programmed to monitor worker activity without ever uploading footage making the surveillance invisible and untraceable.
Organizations like AI Watchdog Europe and Privacy International are raising alarms, urging governments to establish guardrails for how local AI can be used in sensitive settings.
