AI at the Border

Episode 292,   Nov 19, 10:00 AM

In this compelling episode of Immigrantly, we’re joined by Petra Molnar, a renowned lawyer and anthropologist whose work sits at the intersection of migration, technology, and human rights. As Associate Director of the Refugee Law Lab at York University and a Faculty Associate at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Petra critically examines the role of AI and other technologies in reshaping migration experiences. She’s the co-creator of the Migration and Technology Monitor, which exposes the real-world impacts of digital surveillance on those crossing borders.
Petra’s recent book, The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, published in May 2024, unveils the hidden impacts of AI on vulnerable migrant communities, bringing us into the complex world of digital border controls. In this episode, we explore her on-the-ground research and insights into the challenges and ethical questions surrounding AI in migration.
As an immigrant...

In this compelling episode of Immigrantly, we’re joined by Petra Molnar, a renowned lawyer and anthropologist whose work sits at the intersection of migration, technology, and human rights. As Associate Director of the Refugee Law Lab at York University and a Faculty Associate at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Petra critically examines the role of AI and other technologies in reshaping migration experiences. She’s the co-creator of the Migration and Technology Monitor, which exposes the real-world impacts of digital surveillance on those crossing borders.

Petra’s recent book, The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, published in May 2024, unveils the hidden impacts of AI on vulnerable migrant communities, bringing us into the complex world of digital border controls. In this episode, we explore her on-the-ground research and insights into the challenges and ethical questions surrounding AI in migration.

As an immigrant, I share Petra’s commitment to humanizing these stories. This conversation goes beyond policy and data, delving into what it means to safeguard human rights in a rapidly digitizing world. Join us for an eye-opening discussion on AI, migration, and the fight for dignity in the digital age.


Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman StoryboardThe GuardianThe Slowdown, and CNN.

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Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

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