Source: RFI
Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez has expressed support for maintaining AI-driven surveillance technologies in the city even after the 2024 Olympic Games. The AI surveillance, initially deployed to enhance security during the Olympics, includes facial recognition, crowd monitoring, and predictive policing tools designed to detect potential threats and prevent criminal activity in real-time.

While the use of AI surveillance during the Olympics has been largely praised for its effectiveness in managing large crowds and ensuring public safety, its potential extension beyond the event is raising concerns among civil liberties groups. Many argue that the continued use of surveillance technologies could lead to privacy violations, increased government oversight, and the erosion of individual freedoms.

Nuñez, however, contends that the AI systems have proven indispensable in ensuring the safety of citizens and visitors during high-profile events like the Olympics. He believes that keeping these systems in place could enhance public security in the long term, particularly in a city as large and dynamic as Paris. He points out that the AI tools used by law enforcement have helped prevent incidents of violence and streamline responses to emergencies.

Critics, however, argue that the city’s reliance on AI surveillance could lead to a surveillance state where citizens' movements and behaviors are constantly monitored. They also raise concerns about the potential for algorithmic bias in AI systems, which could disproportionately target certain communities, such as racial or ethnic minorities. There is also fear that the data collected could be misused for purposes beyond security, such as political surveillance or corporate exploitation.

Despite these concerns, Nuñez has called for a public debate on the issue, stressing the need for transparency and oversight in the use of AI surveillance technologies. He advocates for clear guidelines and legal frameworks to ensure that AI surveillance is used ethically and responsibly, balancing public safety with the protection of individual rights.

The debate over AI surveillance in Paris reflects broader global discussions about the role of AI in law enforcement and the potential trade-offs between security and privacy. As AI technologies become more integrated into policing, cities like Paris will need to navigate these complex ethical and legal challenges.