AI will now predict and intervene in potential crimes in this city before they occur.
The hustle and bustle of the NYC subway system, one of the world's biggest transit networks, is no stranger to troubling incidents. Fortunately, the city is stepping up their game by introducing a cutting-edge project that smacks of sci-fi movies—AI-driven machines that can sniff out potential danger before it unfolds. For those who've seen Minority Report, starring Tom Cruise, this tale might bring to mind arrests before a crime even happens.
The AI Eyes on Suspicious Behavior
Michael Kemper, the Security Chief of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Security Committee, has mentioned exploring the use of AI in subway stations to automatically identify "irrational or suspicious behavior." If the system catches wind of a potential threat, it'll ping security personnel or cops, allowing them to act swiftly and nip the issue in the bud.
Embracing the Tech Giants
The MTA and various technology companies have teamed up to create this system. While the exact companies and the nitty-gritty details are still under wraps, it's clear they'll be scrutinizing how folks behave. For example, if someone seems excessively aggravated, harasses others, or acts in an otherwise odd manner, the system will pick up on it.
Nope to Facial Recognition
An MTA rep affirmed that facial recognition will be a hard pass. The goal here is to identify concerning patterns of movement or actions, not to pinpoint specific individuals. The passengers' privacy will remain intact, as promised by the MTA.
AI's Previous Stint in Transit
The MTA has dabbled in AI technology before. In '23, they leveraged software to spot individuals without tickets—fare evaders. In '24, they tested a scanner designed to detect weapons, although it registered false alarms around a hundred times.
Hollywood Dreams Fade Away
In Minority Report (USA, 2002), a future was imagined where "Pre-Cogs" -people with special abilities- could predict crimes before they occurred. Although New York doesn’t have psychic beings, this project aims in a similar direction: proactive technology that reacts the moment it senses trouble on the horizon. The line between science fiction and reality is becoming a blur.
Overall:
The AI-based suspicious behavior detection system in NYC subway stations is designed to identify and flag problematic behavior, empowering a swift response from law enforcement. Key aspects of the system include its focus on identifying behaviors rather than recognizing individual faces and collaboration with various AI companies to develop and deploy the systems. This initiative stems from a rising concern for safety, but concerns have also been raised by privacy advocates about potential privacy implications and the technology's effectiveness.
- Michael Kemper, Security Chief of the MTA Security Committee, is considering the implementation of AI in subway stations to automatically detect irrational or suspicious behavior.
- The MTA has joined forces with various technology companies to develop this system, which focuses on analyzing the behavior of passengers rather than identifying specific individuals.
- It has been confirmed that facial recognition technology will not be a part of this newly developed AI system in the NYC subway stations.
- In the past, the MTA has experimented with AI technology, such as software that detected ticketless passengers in 2023 and a weapon-detecting scanner in 2024, which registered around a hundred false alarms.
- The AI system in the NYC subway stations, while not featuring psychic beings like in the movie Minority Report, aims to create a proactive environment for law enforcement by sensing trouble ahead and prompting an instant response.
