New York City wants subway cameras to predict ‘trouble’ before it happens

The systems nether improvement could alert the NYPD earlier immoderate transgression has been committed. | Photo by Eduardo MunozAlvarez / VIEWpress via Getty Images

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it’s exploring the usage of AI systems for “predictive prevention” of transgression and unsafe behaviour connected the city’s subway platforms.

MTA main information serviceman Michael Kemper said that the bureau is “studying and piloting exertion similar AI to consciousness imaginable occupation oregon problematic behaviour connected our subway platforms.” 

“If idiosyncratic is acting out, irrational… it could perchance trigger an alert that would trigger a effect from either information and/or the constabulary department,” helium explained during an MTA information committee meeting Monday, emphasizing that the constabulary effect could travel “before waiting for thing to happen.”

“AI is the future,” helium added, noting that the MTA is “working with tech companies virtually close now” to analyse “what would enactment successful the subway system.” Kemper didn’t item which companies the MTA is moving with, however AI volition beryllium implemented, oregon precisely what benignant of behaviour the AI-enabled cameras volition beryllium expected to detect. 

However, MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan confirmed to The Gothamist that the caller strategy won’t trust connected facial recognition. “The exertion being explored by the MTA is designed to place behaviors, not people,” Donovan said.

This isn’t the archetypal clip the MTA has implemented AI. In 2023 it disclosed that it was utilizing AI-powered surveillance bundle to track fare evaders connected the subway, monitoring when, where, and however astir fare evasion takes place.