• AI can be efficient, but human intervention is often needed to achieve the optimal accuracy and engagement required.
• Collective intelligence adds significant value in designing questions, creating solutions and making decisions.
• The human factor remains essential, even with digitalisation. The dynamics in which collaborative collective intelligence adds value have become crucial in the information analysis phase.
• The surveillance and intelligence process is strengthened when artificial and collective intelligence are combined.
• The future of surveillance and intelligence is not just about technology, but about how people and machines work together to achieve a common goal: informed and strategic decision-making.

During the 6th Conference on Innovation based on Surveillance and Intelligence that we held on 2 November 2023, several experts shared their ideas on the fundamental role that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Collective Intelligence play in the future of these processes.

What became clear is that this is not a competition between these two intelligences, but a collaboration that enriches and strengthens surveillance and intelligence.

Amalio A. Rey, Director of Emotools, spoke of “Collective Intelligence” as a continuum that is formed when people work together. He also highlighted the importance of “Collaborative Collective Intelligence”. By relying on collective intelligence, ‘blind spots’ in monitoring are reduced, focus is improved and people’s engagement in the process is fostered.

Amalio concluded his presentation with an interesting hypothesis:

“Even if we were to find a perfect system to detect signals and trends (the ‘magic button’), we would still need to invest in collective and socially meaningful activities.”

AI can be efficient, but human intervention is often needed to achieve the optimal accuracy and engagement required.

On the other hand, Irati Rodriguez of HUPI,  highlighted the potential of AI with a people-centred approach. He argued that AI should work for us, not instead of us. He highlighted the concept of ‘Shared Learning’ between AI and collective intelligence. AI can optimise the surveillance process by automating repetitive tasks and providing recommendations based on reading history. However, he stressed that collective intelligence adds significant value in question design, solution creation and decision making.

In the last part of the day, we explored the systematisation and digitisation of surveillance and intelligence in different sectors. Both Xabier Igartua of Ulma Forged Solutions and Roberto Altzerreka Etxeberria of IMH Campus, agreed that the human factor remains essential, even with digitalisation. The dynamics in which collaborative collective intelligence provides value have become crucial in the information analysis phase.

Furthermore, the “asymmetric reality” of the monitored areas was mentioned, which depends on the context to be monitored, the quality of the information and the curiosity of the people involved.

The day ended with a panel discussion where participants concluded that the process of surveillance and intelligence is strengthened when both intelligences are combined.

AI and collective intelligence are not opposites, but complementary. This collaboration not only improves efficiency, but also ensures the engagement and success of the intelligence and surveillance process in an ever-changing world.

The future of surveillance and intelligence is not just about technology, but about how people and machines work together to achieve a common goal: informed and strategic decision-making. Let’s keep this collaboration alive, as the real potential lies in the synergy between intelligences.

If you are thinking of boosting innovation and strategic decision making in your organisation by efficiently capturing information through an automated process you can schedule a free consultancy meeting here.