France to use AI for surveillance at the Olympics

The French government has been approved by the National Assembly to use Artificial Intelligence-powered video surveillance at the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024. This decision has received backlash from civil rights groups that point out that it will pose a threat to civil liberties.

The algorithmic videos will help them detect pre-determined events suspicious behavior, crowd surges, and crowd surges, which will help them manage the huge attendees at the event. The Senate and Assembly have given a green light to the government. This can still be challenged at the highest constitutional court.

If it gets the approval, France will become the first country in the European Union to legalise AI-powered surveillance at public events.

France's privacy watchdog, CNIL, is backing the bill, given that no biometric data will be treated. Daniel Leufer, policy advisor at Access Now, stated that France can do two things: object detection or analysis of human behaviour - the latter is the processing of biometric data. The EU s AI Act bans the collection of biometric data in public spaces.

Stephane Mazars, an MP for President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, said that France will need to rise to meet the greatest security challenge in its history, as a result of the use of AI for surveillance. The decision to use AI surveillace has faced strong backlash from rights groups including Amnesty International and digital rights groups. They believe technology poses a threat to civil liberties and draws a dangerous line in the sand.

This debate happens during the time when the European Union is discussing its own AI Act which will decide the use of artificial intelligence in Europe. The act has been in works for the past two years.