“A world where your face becomes your password.”
Just a few years ago, this seemed like something out of a sci-fi movie. But today, we experience this magic every time we unlock our smartphones, pay for coffee, or enter the office. What a convenient world it is.
However, this technology is a ’tool’ that gifts humanity incredible possibilities, yet at the same time, it can become a sharp ‘weapon’ aimed at us at any moment.
Today, let’s share two stories about how the powerful technology of facial recognition can both penetrate and threaten our lives.
Story One: The Smart Store That Drove Away Regular Customers
To revitalize the local commercial district, the government installed ‘AI personalized billboards’ in small shops. These billboards used facial recognition technology to analyze the age, gender, and expressions of people passing by and recommend the most suitable products.
At first, the owner of a local flower shop found this technology fascinating and helpful. When couples passed by, the billboard displayed, “How about a rose for your loved one?” and for parents holding elementary school children’s hands, it suggested, “How about freesia for tonight’s dinner table?” Sales actually increased slightly. It seemed like the technology was truly a good ’tool.’
But after a while, regular customers started visiting less frequently. One customer struggling with divorce saw the message “Cheer up with yellow flowers on gloomy days!” every time they passed by, and another who had just been fired saw “Wishing you a fresh start!” which only hurt more.
People felt uncomfortable and fearful that their emotions were being read without consent and used as marketing tools to sell products. Ultimately, the warm ’tool’ that attracted customers became a cold ‘weapon’ that judged their feelings and drove them away.
Story Two: A Life Ruined by 99% Accuracy
A hit-and-run incident occurred in a city. The only clue was a blurry side profile of the driver caught on distant CCTV. The police activated the latest AI facial recognition system, which identified a man with 99% accuracy as the suspect: Mr. Chulsoo Kim, an ordinary father of two.
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The police trusted the AI’s analysis. Mr. Kim was said to have driven alone on an outer road at the estimated time of the incident but couldn’t provide a perfect alibi. The media sensationalized the story as ‘AI catches hit-and-run suspect,’ and overnight, he became a criminal. His children were bullied at school as ‘children of a hit-and-run driver,’ and his wife had to quit her job.
A month later, the real culprit confessed out of guilt. The AI had insufficient data on certain facial angles and low-quality footage, leading to the mistaken identification of Mr. Kim, who had a similar appearance.
99% accuracy means there is a 1% chance of error. But people blindly trusted the machine’s verdict, and that 1% error became a deadly ‘weapon’ that shattered a family’s life. Although he was proven innocent, the stigma on him and his family will never fully disappear.
Shall we look at another story?
The moment I open the door, soft lighting and my favorite music greet me. “Welcome back, Nari.” The picture on the wall changes from a plain painting to a stunning night view photo. Did it sense my mood?
This is 2030, the world I live in. And the magic behind it all is my very own ‘face.’
Morning: A World Opened by My Face
“Good morning, Nari! Today will be clear and pleasant.”
Instead of an alarm, my AI assistant’s gentle voice wakes me. When I enter the kitchen with a sleepy face, the coffee machine scans my facial puffiness and says, “A smooth latte would be perfect today,” and brews coffee automatically.
I haven’t needed a wallet for a long time. Just smiling brightly at my favorite bakery completes the payment, and the subway gates open wide like a red carpet for me. When I see the station billboard cheering, “Keep it up today, Nari!” I feel like the world revolves around me. My face is the master key to this convenient world.
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Afternoon: A Slightly Strange Whisper
At work, I must have looked tired. As soon as I sit down, a message appears on my computer screen: “Nari, your sleep data was insufficient last night. How about a cup of herbal tea to boost concentration?” I appreciate the care but feel a chill, as if someone is seeing through everything about me.
During the afternoon meeting, maybe I drifted off for a moment. Right after, my manager messages me: “AI meeting analysis shows your focus dropped briefly. Is there any difficulty?” I only spaced out a bit, but knowing every facial expression is data used to evaluate me makes me force a smile.
Evening: A Stranger in the Mirror
On my way home, I stopped by a small signature campaign started by neighbors to raise funds for stray dog protection. I felt proud to join a good cause.
But that night, I received a strange notification from my private insurance company:
“Dear customer, recent activity detected in an ‘unclassified risk’ area. Your monthly premium will be slightly increased. Please be advised.”
My heart sank. Was that signature campaign the problem? CCTV cameras across the city recognized my face, recorded where I went and what I did, and even shared that data with the insurance company, which judged me arbitrarily.
At that moment, the convenient world that welcomed me in the morning felt like a giant glass prison. Regardless of my intentions, my face was a ‘shackle’ that monitored, judged, and sometimes penalized me.
Standing before the mirror, I quietly examine my face. Is this face truly mine? Or is it part of a vast system spread throughout the city?
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Technology has given us amazing gifts, but it seems we never properly read the instruction manual. The rights to my face, the right to privacy, and above all, the ‘right to be forgotten.’ Have we taken these obvious rights too lightly?
Is your face protected as much as your phone?
These stories reveal the clear shadows of facial recognition technology. Companies analyze our emotions to generate profit, and governments identify and track citizens for efficient control. In the process, our privacy and human rights can be easily violated.
The companies behind this powerful technology must bear ethical responsibility, and governments must establish clear laws and regulations to protect citizens. When social consensus and systems fail to keep pace with technological advances, ordinary people bear the brunt.
We think that if we lose a smartphone, we can just change the password or buy a new one. But once facial data is leaked or misused, it can never be changed or recovered.
Today, why not ask yourself again? Is my face really worth less than a disposable password, not even protected as well as a cheap phone? Finding the answer to this question is the challenge for all of us living in the age of technology.