Machine vision and artificial intelligence technology are developing and being used more and more in different areas of life. For example, the 2020 pandemic was a powerful impetus for growth. Smart CCTV cameras are used to monitor compliance with epidemiological requirements, contactless documents verification, and other areas.
All this leads citizens to one thought: “Will cameras follow every step of the people, or is it still aimed at good deeds?” Let’s figure it out.
The book “1984” by George Orwell today is called not just a novel but a future prediction. Painfully many details turned out to be plausible. The work describes artificial intelligence as a method of controlling society. It may be a coincidence, but in the year the novel was published, American scientists launched the first commercial monitoring system of its kind on the market.
Artificial intelligence analyzes the activities of people; respectively, for business, this is a natural source of development. For example, today, the Internet and social networks are actively used in scaling companies. Artificial intelligence algorithms analyze our interests by their activity in social networks and select personalized advertising offers.
Have you thought that finding services and goods on the Internet would be much more difficult if not for AI technology?
Artificial intelligence with video surveillance is more necessary for the government than for business. If technology helps companies only with the analysis of the target audience’s interests, then it can benefit the state for more complex tasks.
Once in a while, unauthorized rallies, attempts at revolutions, and widespread unrest occur all over the world. For the stability of power, governments are using smart video cameras to recognize the identities of protesters.
Most often, surveillance cameras with Face ID are used not to suppress attempts to overthrow the government (this is an exception to the rule) but to protect society and search for criminals.
The technology works based on photographs available in databases, and when the camera notices the ratio of a person to the presented image, the device notifies of a match.
“Smart” video surveillance is developing at such a pace that soon it will be impossible to hide from the police within the city.
By analogy with the previous paragraph, the state uses analytical observation to find missing people. And thanks to technology, some of the individuals can be identified.
Most people are afraid of artificial intelligence in cameras because they think their privacy is under control and oversight. But we can assure you that this is unlikely.
The fact is that the technology itself is not able to learn something new about you; it is only:
compares photographs and images of people in the lens;
analyzes your activity on the Internet to determine interesting and offer you the best selection.
Of course, sabotage of systems happens in society, but this is only due to ignorance of monitoring principles.
Fear of artificial intelligence is a common reaction to something new and incomprehensible. But there is no need to be afraid of it. Technology is used only for good since its use is within the framework of the law and only where it is needed. For example, in the observation of patients, control at airports and public transport.
