French police announced on April 19 that they will test AI-powered surveillance capabilities at events in the capital Paris in preparation for the 2024 Olympics.
Paris police have given permission to rail company SNCF and transport operator RATP to carry out surveillance checks at four different train stations near two major events this weekend, as part of a trial run ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
The two events included a pop concert by the band Black-Eyed Peas and a football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyon.
Companies will have access to images from more than 100 cameras, which will then be analyzed using AI to monitor crowds using algorithm-based smart technology.
The surveillance software will help police identify people moving into designated areas, as well as scan abandoned bags and crowd size and movement. This weekend’s trial is the second to be conducted in the city, following another at a major concert in March.
Paris and Olympic officials plan to use AI-powered surveillance this summer when the city hosts the 2024 Olympics from July 26 to August 11.
The cameras will not use facial recognition software but will use body scanners.
Paris has been the target of terrorist attacks in the past, so there are security concerns at the opening ceremony of this summer's Olympics. For the first time, the opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium but on the Seine River, which runs through the city.
The recent terror attack at a Moscow theater has prompted France to raise its terror alert to its highest level. French President Emmanuel Macron said there are contingency plans in place to move the opening ceremony to another location if security concerns arise.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also plans to use AI to protect athletes from online harassment, while also helping broadcasters improve the experience for viewers watching at home.
“We are determined to harness the enormous potential of AI responsibly,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
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