Wyden Requests AI Camera Firm Explain Use of Portland Footage In Promotional Video

Wyden Requests AI Camera Firm Explain Use of Portland Footage In Promotional Video

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked Portland technology firm Sightline Intelligence to answer questions raised by Oregonians about how it trains AI software it produces for use in high-resolution cameras, in a letter sent this week.

Constituents raised privacy concerns about the firm's actions after footage of Oregon Health and Science University was included in a promotional video posted by Sightline, without permission of the institution. Sightline representatives have said the company did not use the footage to train its AI models.

Fostering high-tech jobs in Oregon that reduce dependence on foreign drone technology is beneficial to America's economy and security, Wyden said, but companies need to ensure Americans' privacy is protected.

"Companies like yours are producing cutting-edge technologies to advance America's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry and supply chain, which help the United States reduce its reliance on foreign sources for UAV technologies utilized in search-and-rescue missions and military operations," Wyden wrote in his letter. "While the development of these technologies is beneficial to the United States, it is also ripe for abuse, and I have heard firsthand in my town halls that Oregonians are particularly concerned about the misuse of such technologies to surveil Americans, harm civilians, and enable human rights abuses.

Wyden requested Sightline respond to the following questions in writing by no later than September 30:

1. Will you confirm that footage retained by Sightline Intelligence of the OHSU tram, or any other footage filmed in Oregon, was not used in the development of any technologies, including in training, tuning, or testing models for object classification?

2. Will you commit to permanently deleting the OHSU tram footage and any other footage that Sightline Intelligence retains of Oregonians who did not consent to filming?

3. I recognize Sightline Intelligence creates AI-video processing software for target recognition, utilized in autonomous aircraft and other defense applications. Does Sightline Intelligence also collect its own video footage and images, in Oregon or elsewhere, to train, tune, or test its models and other technologies?

4. Does Sightline Intelligence follow all applicable U.S. laws and regulatory frameworks associated with exporting its technologies to its customers overseas?

5. Does Sightline Intelligence follow U.S. laws with regard to sanctioned entities?

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