ARE WE EUROPE

Artificial intelligence is reshaping public life in Europe – not just through automation, but through surveillance. In the final episode of Security or Surveillance?, host Seden Anlar explores how AI-powered monitoring tools are increasingly being used to police protests, monitor dissent, and chill political participation in France and across the EU. We hear from legal expert Erik Tuchtfeld, who breaks down the complex legal landscape surrounding AI surveillance, fundamental rights, and the challenges of pushing back through European courts. Climate activists Arthur Grimon and Lea Hobson reflect on what it means to resist in the face of surveillance, police violence, and criminalisation – and how solidarity, resilience, and international connections fuel their fight. With insights from psychologist and trauma researcher Prof. Guido Veronese and human rights advocate Caterina Rodelli, we explore the power of activism as a coping mechanism and a path to human connection – as demonstrated by ongoing struggles across climate justice, migration, and anti-racist movements. This podcast was produced within the scope of FOCUS, a project co-financed by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EU CERV. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Algorithmic Video Surveillance (AVS) is quietly reshaping how public spaces are monitored – turning everyday life into a site of constant observation, prediction, and control. In this episode, host Seden Anlar continues her conversation with digital rights groups, mental health experts and activists, to explore the human cost of surveillance technologies that go beyond watching to predicting behaviour. AVS, first developed for large-scale sports events, is now being deployed to monitor city streets, protests, and daily routines. As surveillance shifts from investigating crimes to anticipating dissent, activists face not only political repression but a deeper psychological toll – anxiety, depression, and exhaustion by design. We ask: what happens when surveillance isn’t about stopping crime, but about making people hesitate? And how does this dissolve solidarity, trust, and the very foundations of resistance? This podcast was produced within the scope of FOCUS, a project co-financed by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EU CERV. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Episode 01: “The disaster is here” France presents itself as a global climate leader—but at home, environmental activists are facing increasing repression from the authorities. In this episode, host Seden Anlar speaks with activists Arthur Grimon and Lea Hobson of Les Soulèvements de la Terre, who share what it’s like to face police raids, surveillance, and accusations of “eco-terrorism” for protesting environmental destruction. With insights from Amnesty International’s Catrinel Motoc and trauma expert Guido Veronese, we explore how AI surveillance, counterterrorism rhetoric, and repressive laws are reshaping protest—and how this crackdown is affecting activists’ mental health, human rights, and the future of climate resistance in France and beyond.

In this episode, Sasha meets artist Robert Shepherd, a Canadian who has been living in Amsterdam for over a decade, providing a “front-row” perspective on the industry. Shepherd explains how the open mic community grew after the pandemic and lockdowns, with Amsterdam’s diversity and rich cultural life creating fertile ground.

In the third episode, Sasha goes behind the scenes of the open-mic community to talk to four concert organisers. They discuss why they host such events; what open mics mean to them and why they believe open mics have become a safe space for people of all backgrounds and beliefs.