An artificial intelligence system helped police officers identify a drug dealer by analysing his driving style

Law enforcers in New York have apprehended a drug dealer using an artificial intelligence system that analyses a person's driving style.

Here's What We Know

David Zayas was driving through the small town of Scarsdale in upstate New York when he was stopped by police. A search of the vehicle revealed a large quantity of crack cocaine, a handgun and over $34,000 in cash. The arrested man later pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges.

According to Forbes, authorities used the services of Rekor, a company that analysed traffic in the region, to catch Zayas. During the monitoring, the software flagged him as suspicious.

Rekor describes itself as an AI-based "roadway intelligence" platform. It works with police departments and other government agencies in the US, as well as private businesses.

It has 480 cameras in New York State that regularly scan 16 million vehicles a week. The system can identify a vehicle's licence plate, make and model.

By recording and analysing the trajectories of vehicles across the state, police officers can use software to determine whether certain routes are suspicious or not.

In Zayas' case, Rekor helped law enforcement officers assess the route he had been driving for several. According to the algorithm, the driver regularly travelled back and forth between Massachusetts and parts of upstate New York. The system classified Zayas' routes as "known to be used by narcotics pushers and [involved]...conspicuously short stays." As a result, the programme deemed him a drug trafficker.

Source: Gizmodo