SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, some more troubling implications of AI and digital ID. Pictured above is the Dallas, Texas Fusion Center.
The Digital Gulag of America: AI and Digital ID
Despite its violent intro sequence, blog reader M.W. suggested this insightful video from Dirty Civilian: The Digital Gulag of America | AI, Digital ID, and Social Credit Scores.
California’s Proposed “Leno Law”
I found this linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Why Jay Leno Needs A Law In His Name. One detail from the article:
“Current law exempts from smog testing only cars made before 1976. A proposal in the Legislature would change that. Senate Bill 712 would, starting Jan. 1, 2027, “fully exempt from the smog check requirements” any car that was “manufactured prior to the 1981 model year.”
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2028, SB 712 “would expand this exemption by one model year, every year, for 5 years.” It “would be known, and may be cited as, Leno’s Law.”
Alleged Al Fakery: The AI-Powered Drug Marketer Medvi
At Futurism: AI-Powered Drug Marketer Medvi Responds After Allegations About Fake Doctors and Patients.
AI Is Making Insurance Decisions
D.S.V. sent this: AI Is Making Insurance Decisions. Patients Are Pushing Back. Here is an excerpt:
“At this stage, AI’s role in insurance is already spawning lawsuits and battles over its regulation, as well as a lot of anxiety about its role in the future. A class-action lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest insurer, is being closely watched. It alleges that an algorithm was used to deny nursing home care to its Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, resulting in their deaths.”\
AI’s “Boiling Frog” Effect
At Futurism: AI Use Appears to Have a “Boiling Frog” Effect on Human Cognition, New Study Warns. A quote:
“We find that AI assistance improves immediate performance, but it comes at a heavy cognitive cost,” the study declares of its findings. “After just [about] 10 minutes of AI-assisted problem-solving, people who lost access to the AI performed worse and gave up more frequently than those who never used it.”
ChatGPT Assisted a Would-Be Mass Murderer?
Reader Tim J. spotted this news: Alleged FSU shooter asked ChatGPT about school shootings, busiest times on campus, chat logs show.
Mexico Plans to Mandate Digital ID
Slay News reports: Mexico Advances Plans to Eliminate Cash, Mandate Digital ID. Some worrisome details:
“At the center of the plan is the new CURP Biométrica, an upgraded national identity system that goes far beyond traditional ID.
The program will require citizens to submit:
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- Fingerprints (all ten)
- Iris scans
- Facial recognition data
- Digital signature
This data is then embedded into a QR-linked identity profile tied directly to the individual.
Registration is conducted through Mexico’s national registry system, RENAPO, where citizens must present official documents just to enroll.
While the government claims the system is aimed at addressing disappearances, it also feeds into a centralized database accessible by law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and the National Guard.
The information will be freely accessible without any requirement to notify citizens when their data is accessed.”
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