Amazon's AI Tested In Major UK Train Stations To Combat Crime: What You Need To Know

Several underground train stations in the United Kingdom have adopted Amazon.com Inc AMZN facial recognition technology in the Seattle-based company’s latest flex of its AI muscles.

What Happened: Wired reported the program’s existence, citing partially redacted documents from a FOIA request.

London's Euston and Waterloo stations and Manchester’s Piccadilly station are among the British stations who have tested AI in conjunction with CCTV cameras. The program was initiated in an effort to reduce crime.

Images captured of passengers were analyzed through Amazon's Rekognition, an AI-powered facial recognition system. The system predicts travelers' age, gender, and emotions (such as happy or sad) in predicting behavior. In particular, the technology can identify trespassing, bicycle theft and dangerous behavior.

The technology can also measure passenger satisfaction and has possible uses in targeted advertising.

Why it Matters: Facial recognition technologies have faced mixed receptions. While some applaud the potential to limit crime and unruly behavior, others believe it could be exploited or perpetuate biases.

There is some evidence that the technology can engage in “racial profiling” and lead to inaccurate results in identifying guilty parties.

Businessman James L. Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks and entertainment venues, has been criticized for his uses of facial recognition technology at Madison Square Garden. Dolan used facial recognition to create an “exclusion list,” keeping personal enemies out of his venue, according to the New York Times. This included lawyers employed by law firms engaged in lawsuits against his companies.

The technology has also attracted regulatory attention from lawmakers. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) penned a New York Times guest essay in 2023 arguing for close regulation of AI-powered facial recognition. On the flip side, some states such as Washington have proposed using facial recognition for alcohol or cannabis purchases.

Price Action: AMZN traded at $182.47, down 0.65% at the time of writing Monday.

Also Read: Microsoft Regional Chief Says This Country Has ‘Caught Up’ In AI Technology And Continues To Pick Up The Pace: ‘I Think It Will Continue To Accelerate’

Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.