Ethics of Cloud-Based AI in Predictive Policing and Surveillance in Authoritarian Regimes

This study explores the ethical implications of deploying cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in predictive policing and surveillance systems within authoritarian regimes. As governments increasingly leverage AI hosted on cloud infrastructures to enhance security operations, concerns over privacy violations, human rights abuses, and unchecked state power intensify, especially in contexts with limited democratic oversight. This research critically examines the ethical challenges posed by such technologies, analyzing the tension between state security objectives and individual freedoms. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and case studies, the study identifies key risks associated with cloud-based AI in surveillance and proposes ethical guidelines and policy recommendations to mitigate harm. The findings aim to contribute to the development of responsible AI governance frameworks that balance technological innovation with respect for human rights in authoritarian settings.