AI is watching ... everywhere?

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What’s going on? A leaked internal email shows that Ring plans to expand its AI-powered “Search Party” tool far beyond finding lost dogs, with its founder suggesting it could one day help “zero out crime” in neighborhoods.

Want the details? Search Party uses AI to scan video footage from Ring’s large network of home security cameras. While the feature was first promoted as a way to help neighbors find lost pets, it can analyze video for specific events and alert users through the Ring Neighbors app. Ring already allows individual camera owners to search their own footage for people, pets, or vehicles. Search Party, however, works across multiple homes, and it is turned on by default for subscribers — meaning Ring has access to a giant surveillance system. An internal email from founder Jamie Siminoff suggests this technology could eventually play a big role in crime prevention.

Why does this matter? This raises major concerns about privacy and surveillance. Expanding AI-powered searches across neighborhoods could change how communities are monitored. Even if sharing footage is optional, critics worry the technology could create a powerful, widespread surveillance system. This means AI will be watching almost every neighborhood, at all times …

What’s new? Google Labs has launched ProducerAI to help artists create and refine songs using advanced AI. This builds off the Lyria 3 release last week, which allows users to create songs from text within the Gemini app.

How does it work? ProducerAI acts like a creative partner for musicians of all levels. You can type a simple idea like “make a lofi beat,” and the platform builds a full song you can adjust and improve. It runs on Google DeepMind models like Gemini and Lyria 3, which understand rhythm, lyrics, and song structure. Users can control details like tempo and arrangement, and even create new digital instruments and effects using a feature called Spaces. All AI-generated music is marked with SynthID, Google’s invisible watermark. The platform has already worked with artists like Lecrae, The Chainsmokers, and Wyclef Jean.

Why is this significant? ProducerAI could make music production faster, cheaper, and more accessible, while still keeping human creativity at the center.

Hi — I’m Hunter, a PhD candidate whose work has appeared in major academic journals and popular tech outlets. I founded FryAI to make staying ahead of AI clear, accessible, and fun.