I am a concerned scientist doing research at the interface between artificial intelligence and genetics. I am actively pushing back against the creeping development of mass surveillance technology, in particular the abusive deployment of forensic DNA databases. I am also engaged in a reflection on how technological advances are shaping our society, and how to avoid that technology further exacerbates inequalities or leads us to an ecological collapse. I also encourage scientists and engineers to participate more actively in the social debate, beyond their strict expertise but in a reasoned manner.