Ai vs AI: Question 2/81

Is Edward Snowden guilty?

Ai Weiwei: Edward Snowden is an American prisoner of conscience, driven by his inner sense of justice to expose government actions. What he did does not make him a criminal. The real wrongdoing lies with those prosecuting him.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2024: Edward Snowden is a controversial figure. Some view him as a whistleblower exposing government surveillance abuses, while others see him as a traitor. Whether he is legally guilty depends on one’s perspective and the legal jurisdiction.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2025: Legally speaking, Edward Snowden has been charged but not convicted. In 2013, the U.S. government charged him with violations of the Espionage Act and theft of government property for leaking classified National Security Agency (NSA) documents that exposed global surveillance programs. He fled the U.S. and was granted asylum in Russia, where he remains today.

Whether he is “guilty” depends on perspective:
From a legal standpoint (U.S. law): Snowden violated laws regarding classified information, so under U.S. jurisdiction, he would likely be found guilty if tried.

From a moral or ethical standpoint: Many consider him a whistleblower who exposed government overreach and mass surveillance, arguing his actions were in the public interest. Others see him as a traitor who jeopardized national security.

In short, he has not faced trial, so he is not legally convicted, but he is wanted by U.S. authorities. Whether he is “guilty” in a broader sense depends on your viewpoint.

DeepSeek (AI), January 2025: Legally speaking, Edward Snowden has been charged but not convicted. In 2013, the U.S. government charged him with violations of the Espionage Act and theft of government property for leaking classified National Security Agency (NSA) documents that exposed global surveillance programs. He fled the U.S. and was granted asylum in Russia, where he remains today.

Whether he is “guilty” depends on perspective:

From a legal standpoint (U.S. law): Snowden violated laws regarding classified information, so under U.S. jurisdiction, he would likely be found guilty if tried.
From a moral or ethical standpoint: Many consider him a whistleblower who exposed government overreach and mass surveillance, arguing his actions were in the public interest. Others see him as a traitor who jeopardized national security.

In short, he has not faced trial, so he is not legally convicted, but he is wanted by U.S. authorities. Whether he is “guilty” in a broader sense depends on your viewpoint.

To coincide with the exhibition, 81 Questions – a series of 81 hand-signed and embossed screen prints featuring the 81 questions posed by Ai Weiwei – are available exclusively on CIRCA.ART for £500+VAT.

“Each Lego brick pixel represents a person”, says Ai Weiwei, who incorporates the plastic construction toy – a readymade material incorporated into many of his most recent works – into his print design for the first time. The black egalitarian pixel font and embossed baseplate combine technology with artisanal craft to create this thought-provoking and playful reflection on today’s world. Each print in the series of 81 Questions is hand-signed and numbered by the artist in editions of 81.