London Underground uses artificial intelligence to fight crime

The London Underground is introducing new surveillance tools using artificial intelligence to detect crime in real time. During a trial at Transport for London, the computer vision system detected potential threats such as weapons, behaviour that could indicate criminal intent. It also detected passengers who did not pay their fares.

According to data sent to WIRED magazine, from October 2022 to the end of September 2023, Transport for London tested 11 algorithms to monitor passengers at Willesden Green tube station. This was the first test to combine artificial intelligence and live video to create a system that sends alerts to staff when there is a potential danger.

The system detected more than 44,000 potentially dangerous situations, of which more than 19,000 required real-time intervention by station staff. According to Transport for London, the introduction of such a system will allow for a faster response to threats and provide greater safety for passengers and staff.

However, despite the successes, the system also faces challenges, such as the accuracy of detection and data processing. It is necessary to constantly improve algorithms to avoid mistakes and make the most of this technology in the fight against crime.

Source: Wired