In the SF movie "Minority Report", criminals and other perpetrators are stopped before they commit condemnable acts. We are not far from such a scenario. China has begun to make extensive use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition systems to try to find potential criminals.
A part of the technology is provided by Cloud Walk in Guangzhou. They develop a facial recognition system, but also a technology that tracks a person's movements. Depending on where the subject goes, the date and time, the system tries to estimate the risk that the person is committing a crime.
For example, someone who buys a kitchen knife does not attract attention. But if he goes and buys a hammer and a bag, the risk of that person committing a crime increases, according to a spokesman for the Cloud Walk.
The company's software is linked to police databases in 50 cities and provinces.
China is not the first country to use such technologies. Cities like Los Angeles and Milan have been using them for years. However, in no other state is technology being used on a scale as wide as in the Asian country. Moreover, the US and Italy do not have such detailed databases with their own citizens.
China has 170 million surveillance cameras, according to market research firm IHS Markit. This number will increase in the coming period.
A facial recognition technology has recently been used for the first time in the UK to arrest a suspect. The event was held in South Wales on May 31st.
Elon Musk warns that artificial intelligence could be a threat to humanity
At a conference, Elon Musk presented the negative effects that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can produce.
Elon Musk said:
"I have analyzed AI in the most extreme points and I think humanity should worry about its power. I'm always trying to sound an alarm, but until people see robots in the streets that kill people they will not understand "
Of course, Elon Musk did not refer to artificial intelligence in devices such as Alexa or Google Home. Tesla's CEO referred to an extremely intelligent entity that could be created in the future. Dozens of scholars signed an open letter in 2015 presenting the dangers of artificial intelligence. Stephen Hawking has also said his recent concern about the destruction of humanity by AI.
As Musk admits, it is difficult for mankind to consider these warnings at the moment. Although AI systems currently have some problems, remarkable progress has been made in recent years.
Musk says:
"AI is a rare case in which we should create proactive and not reactive regulations. If we act responsively it will be too late. Artificial intelligence is a fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization"