PARIS (Reuters) – France conducted a successful trial of Artificial Intelligence-driven video surveillance technology at a Depeche Mode concert this week, ahead of its deployment during the Olympic Games. The use of AI video surveillance is permitted by French legislation passed in 2023 for a trial period covering the Games, with the aim of detecting abnormal events or human behavior at large-scale events.
Officials believe that this technology could play a crucial role in preventing attacks similar to the bombing at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta or the Nice truck attack in 2016. However, rights campaigners have raised concerns about the threat this technology poses to civil liberties.
Algorithmic video surveillance involves the use of computer software to analyze images captured by video surveillance cameras in real time. Four companies, namely Videtics, Orange Business, ChapsVision, and Wintics, have developed AI software that utilizes algorithms to analyze video streams from existing surveillance systems to identify potential threats in public spaces.
The algorithms are trained to detect specific “events” and abnormal behavior, and send alerts accordingly. Human operators then assess the alerts to determine their validity and decide on any necessary action.
The upcoming Olympic Games will see the AI surveillance software flagging eight different types of “events”, including crowd surges, heavy crowds, abandoned objects, presence of weapons, individuals on the ground, fires, and violations of traffic rules. Specific thresholds can be manually set within these categories to cater to different events, locations, or threats.
Various authorities, including national and local police, firefighters, and public transport security agents, will have access to the AI-powered surveillance technology. Wintics, whose software was tested at the Depeche Mode concert, will deploy their technology in the Paris region and on public transport. Paris Police chief Laurent Nunez described the trial as largely successful.
Facial recognition is not expected to be used during the Olympic Games. The new legislation continues to prohibit facial recognition in most cases, with French authorities viewing it as a red line that should not be crossed. However, rights campaigners remain wary of potential mission creep and the implications of using facial recognition technology in the future.
Concerns have been raised by Amnesty International France about the lack of clarity in the legal framework regulating facial recognition, with insufficient technical and legal safeguards in place. Wintics Co-founder Matthias Houllier emphasized that their software’s algorithms are not designed for facial recognition, ruling out any form of personal identification.
To ensure the protection of privacy rights, France’s Interior Ministry has established an evaluation committee to monitor civil liberties throughout the trial period. Led by a high-ranking official from France’s top administrative court, the committee also includes the head of the country’s privacy watchdog, CNIL, four lawmakers, and a mayor.
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(Reporting by Juliette Jabkhiro and Julien Pretot; editing by Richard Lough and Toby Davis)
