Taylor Montgomery
As a Law and Technology Master’s Degree student, “The Minority Report” really resonated with me. It is a fascinating book which draws you in with itsfuturistic technology, but also makes you think deeply about the intersection between law, justice and humanity.
At first glance, the novel’s idea of ‘Precrime’ – an algorithmic system that stops crimes before they happen – appears to be the ultimate dream for any society’s legal system as it would mean no crime and therefore, no victims. This is an interesting topic from a legal perspective, as key concepts such as mens rea (the intention behind a crime) and actus reus (the physical act of the crime) play a crucial role in Criminal Law within our society. However, as I read more, it became clear that this idea of ‘Precrime’ is not a perfect scenario, as the book presents the question of whether justice and morality can coexist with an algorithmic system like this, where individuals are punished for future crimes that they have not even committed yet. “The Minority Report” significantly demonstrates what happens when safety is prioritised over liberty.
As an LLM Law and Technology student who is passionate about AI regulation, I often wonder about the future of law and the role technology will play in shaping it: how do we ensure technology is used responsibly? Who gets to decide the limits of AI and how do we make sure that society does not repeat the mistakes of ‘Precrime’ in real life?
Overall, Philip K. Dick’s, “The Minority Report” is a captivating book that warns readers about the ethical challenges and extreme dangers posed by new innovations, highlighting that that justice is not just about enforcing laws, but also about protecting humanity.
