Aug 02, 2024 15:00:00

Finally, reality catches up with science fiction movies: Argentina launches project to 'predict future crimes' using AI and drones

The 2002 science fiction movie '

Minority Report ' depicted a near future in which a crime prediction system was introduced, leading to the arrest of people who have not yet committed any crimes. Similarly, Argentine authorities have announced plans to create a specialized team that will use AI to predict crimes in advance. Human rights groups have protested, arguing that this will lead to surveillance of citizens.

BOLETIN OFICIAL REPUBLICA ARGENTINA - MINISTERIO DE SEGURIDAD - Resolución 710/2024
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/311381/20240729

Javier Milei's government will monitor social media with AI to 'predict future crimes' | International | EL PAÍS English
https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-07-30/javier-mileis-government-will-monitor-social-media-with-ai-to-predict-future-crimes.html

Argentina will use AI to 'predict future crimes' but experts worry for citizens' rights | Argentina | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/01/argentina-ai-predicting-future-crimes-citizen-rights

On July 29, 2024, Argentine President Javier Milley announced plans to launch the 'Unit for Artificial Intelligence Applied to Public Safety (UIAAS),' a system that would use artificial intelligence to analyze statistical data and predict crime.

The UIAAS, which will be established under the Cybercrime and Cyber Issues Department, will have the primary mission of using machine learning algorithms to analyse historical crime data in order to predict and prevent future crimes.

UIAAS will also be responsible for criminal investigations by monitoring the dark web, detecting suspicious individuals and wanted criminals through real-time monitoring of security camera footage, responding to cyber attacks, profiling suspects through big data analysis, aerial surveillance and emergency response using drones, explosive disposal using robots, and investigating the movements of criminal groups by analyzing social media.

'President Millet intends to use machine learning algorithms to predict future crimes, as imagined by science fiction author Philip K. Dick and later depicted in the film Minority Report,' Spanish news outlet EL PAÍS reported.

The Ministry of Security argues that using AI to improve public safety would significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of police and security forces, allowing them to respond more quickly and accurately to threats and emergencies, but human rights groups and experts have raised concerns about excessive surveillance and privacy risks.

'Mass surveillance undermines freedom of expression as people fear that security forces are monitoring everything they post, comment or publish online, leading them to self-censor and refrain from expressing their opinions or criticisms,' said Mariela Belschi, Executive Director of Amnesty International Argentina.

Argentina, located in South America, has a long history of state oppression that has cast a shadow over the lives of its people, and it is estimated that as many as 30,000 people were kidnapped and tortured under the military dictatorship that lasted from 1976 to 1983. In addition, Milley, who took office as president in December 2023, is known for his tough stance against crime and is sometimes called the 'Argentine Trump' for his radical policies, such as abolishing gun control and abolishing the Argentine Central Bank.

While Argentine authorities have said that the UIAAS will operate within the framework of the constitution and existing laws, Martin Becerra, a journalist, professor and researcher at the University of Buenos Aires, said: 'The creation of a government agency to monitor social networks and websites goes against several articles of the constitution.'