Debates and discussions around the role artificial intelligence (AI) technology will play in society at large have been everywhere — from Hollywood to the political arena. In day-to-day life, AI has played a big role in Google’s changing algorithm and through Apple products by way of virtual assistants like Siri.
When it comes to the physical security industry, how are leaders in the field addressing this current AI tsunami that is hitting all sectors? In a recent blog post, Fagan Wasanni Technologies highlights a recent interview with Genetec, emphasizing that this ever-evolving tech can be harnessed as a useful tool for physical security experts.
“AI can greatly enhance the capabilities of security teams by enabling them to perform tasks faster and with greater accuracy, particularly when dealing with large data sets,” the blog post reads.
One of the biggest ways AI will make workflow run smoothly is due to its ability to “analyze large amounts of data,” the blog reports. They cite that AI can analyze big swaths of video footage and pinpoint patterns and ongoing trends that might be hard for the human eye to detect and decipher.
“This technology can be applied in various ways to improve security, such as automating processes like identifying specific vehicles or monitoring occupancy levels in airports,” Fagan Wasanni Technologies reports. “However, Genetec emphasizes that human involvement is essential. While machines can perform the initial analysis, it is ultimately up to humans to make informed decisions on the best course of action.”
The interview comes from IFSEC Insider’s James Moore, who sat down with Paul Dodds, Genetec’s Country Manager for UK & Ireland. In the conversation, Dodds says that humans must always “be in the room” in order for this technology to be used accurately.
When it comes to how AI systems are different from traditional video surveillance analytics, Dodds says that it all comes down to the algorithm.
“It largely comes down to how the algorithms are trained to learn and improve over time. AI-based analytics incorporate a subset of AI known as machine learning to learn optimal parameters for the separation and identification of data, without being programmed in advance,” he explains. “For example, we’ve used machine learning in our AutoVu automation number plate recognition (ANPR) solutions to further improve accuracy and reduce the incidence of false-positive readings.”
Given that advanced AI is still an emerging technology in the physical security space, Dodds says the industry will have to enter a new era of regulation.
“Legislation around the ethical use of AI is a requirement to govern users (and manufacturers) and this should be developed in partnership with academia, technology experts, civil rights experts, and industry leaders,” he stressed. “This collaboration is needed to ensure regulators fully understand the pros/cons to any technology and its deployment – and that individual privacy and liberties are appropriately protected.”