Facing Outrage, Flock Got Help from Group That Uses AI to Rally Support
6 hours ago
- A Knoxville mother, Ashley Smith, received a text from a nonprofit called Neighbors for Strong Communities asking her to support Flock’s license-plate readers, but the AI-generated draft email was only provided if she indicated support.
- Smith opposed the cameras and wrote her own email accusing the company of running an insidious PR campaign that manipulates public opinion and threatens privacy.
- The nonprofit’s campaign was revealed as an ‘astroturf’ effort—fake grassroots support—partnering with Flock and using similar tactics for corporate mergers like Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.
- The Knox County commission ultimately voted to cancel the Flock contract, citing lack of trust and overwhelming public opposition (99-to-1 according to one commissioner).
- Neighbors for Strong Communities used AI to draft emails, but only for supporters, and its directors are linked to Influent, a company that generates AI letters; the group’s website used AI-generated imagery (a man with six fingers).
- Local officials recognized the emails as form letters, not genuine grassroots outreach, raising concerns about transparency and manipulation of residents’ voices.