Artificial Intelligence and the Ethics of Surveillance in Dan Brown’s Deception Point

Abstract

Dan Brown’s Deception Point (2001) offers more than a political conspiracy thriller; it engages deeply with questions of truth, deception, and the intersection of science, technology, and power. This paper examines the novel through the lens of artificial intelligence (AI) and surveillance ethics, situating Brown’s narrative within broader contemporary debates on technology and governance. By highlighting the novel’s exploration of secrecy, manipulation, and institutional control, the discussion draws parallels to the rise of AI-enabled surveillance systems in the real world. Modern AI technologies—particularly those involving facial recognition, behavioral prediction, and large-scale data monitoring—promise enhanced efficiency and security, yet simultaneously provoke critical ethical concerns. Issues of privacy, algorithmic bias, informed consent, and disproportionate power dynamics mirror the dilemmas dramatized in Brown’s fiction. The analysis underscores how Deception Point functions as both a thrilling narrative and a cultural text that anticipates urgent societal debates. Ultimately, the paper argues that AI-driven surveillance requires governance frameworks grounded in transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity, in order to reconcile technological advancement with ethical responsibility.