Person of Interest2011

Nathan Ingram:
So I guess the number panned out?

Denton Weeks:
What I need you to explain to me is... how? How did some damn computer program spot a traitor when federal agents couldn't?

Nathan Ingram:
Honestly? Not a clue. The machine will deliver actionable intelligence in time to thwart any threat to national security, but its operating system is a black box.

Denton Weeks:
And if we want to direct this machine at a specific target?

Nathan Ingram:
No need. It already watches every target.

Alicia Corwin:
You're asking us to take a lot on faith here, Nathan. A piece of software we can't inspect, can't control or modify, that only feeds us intel when it feels like it?

Nathan Ingram:
When it perceives a threat. Look, I'm sorry, folks, but it's the only way that we can keep it and us protected. If no human sees what the machine sees, then technically, no one's fourth amendment rights have been violated.

Denton Weeks:
Why don't you just focus on your computer, Mr. Ingram, and leave the constitutional concerns to us?

Nathan Ingram:
Because I'm a citizen too, and I'm a lot more comfortable having this machine watch my every move than someone like you.