In 2020, Clearview AI became infamous for its vast database of faces, but now it's testing InquiryIQ, an AI tool that could turn up far more than just a name.

With features like web scraping and profile building, InquiryIQ promises to revolutionize police investigations by providing a wealth of personal data. However, experts warn that this could lower the barriers to mass surveillance, making it easier to investigate people who might otherwise remain unscraped.

The tool, which uses models from SpaceXAI, a company founded by Elon Musk, raises ethical concerns given its potential to produce biased or inflammatory results. Clearview insists that InquiryIQ remains a prototype, but its rapid development and the company’s history of controversy make it a cause for concern.

The founders of Clearview, including Hoan Ton-That, who once had ties to far-right groups, stepped down, while the new CEO, Amos Kyler, focuses on refining the product to meet higher standards of integrity. The challenge now is to balance technological advancement with ethical responsibility.