Yves Moreau

[For a full profile and portfolio of press quotes, see yvesmoreau.net.]

I am a concerned scientist doing research at the interface between artificial intelligence and genetics. I am actively pushing back against the creeping development of mass surveillance technology, in particular the abusive deployment of forensic DNA databases. I am also engaged in a reflection about how technological advances are shaping our society, and how to avoid that technology exacerbates inequalities further or leads us to an ecological collapse. I also encourage scientists and engineers to participate more actively in the social debate, beyond their strict expertise but in a reasoned manner.

I have been actively investigating abuses of DNA profiling technology in Xinjiang and Kuwait. Beyond pointing at the responsibility of governments, I also demand that tech companies be liable for the reckless supply of technology that is key to human rights abuses. Moreover, I demand that researchers stop carrying out unethical biometrics research, in particular on forensic population genetics and facial recognition, and that scientific journals stop publishing such research.

My work on surveillance technologies is at the boundary between advocacy and investigative journalism. With my background in artificial intelligence and genetics, I regularly serve as an expert or a source on DNA surveillance in the international press. I acknowledge my advocacy perspective. I believe that people universally want others to respect their basic human rights and those of their family and friends. I believe that personal autonomy is central to human dignity and that privacy is key to this autonomy. I consider that the uncontrolled development of surveillance technologies is an existential threat to free and open societies, and that these technologies should thus be used parsimoniously under tight regulation.

Being a scientist, I also believe that 'facts' and 'truth' - even if they can be elusive - are essential to social progress. I am therefore committed to provide truthful, accurate, and complete information, including information that may not favor my preferred standpoint or course of action. Credibility matters. Because I want to communicate sometimes complex technical or political matters to a broad audience, I also try to keep explanations "as simple as possible, but not simpler". This may not always deliver the strongest punchline or the easiest argument, but I trust that it provides the most solid foundation for change.

Interview languages: English, French, and Dutch.

Available for public speaking opportunities.