From speech-to-text to quality detection: artificial intelligence is the go-to technology for a myriad of solutions. AI also plays a big role in safety. Whether you use smart technology in your home or walk down the main street in your favorite city, AI solutions can help keep you safe.

1. In homes

Home surveillance systems are nothing new. A lot of people have an alarm to protect their loved ones and their valuables against intruders. In recent years, however, home security solutions have become more advanced, thanks to artificial intelligence. From doorbells to locks: so-called ‘smart security systems’ are making their way into our homes. 

Smart doorbells especially are extremely popular. The camera detects people, cars and animals passing by your door or packages left at your doorstep. While this seems like state-of-the-art technology, it’s actually basic AI. This type of artificial intelligence — detection — has been around for a long time and is a very solid, well-functioning model. It is trained with thousands of images of people, cars and animals. 

2. In companies

That same detection system works well in companies too. There are a few situations in which AI detection can come in handy for your organization.

1. No-go zones: some companies, for example chemical plants, have areas that are off-limits to (most) people. AI detection alerts you when unauthorized personnel have entered this area, allowing you to act quickly before anything bad happens. To be clear: this model doesn’t use facial recognition but reacts simply because it has detected the form of a human being.
2. Emergencies: AI can’t just detect a human, it can also recognise if a person has fallen. When an employee has a medical emergency and is on the ground, your security system can alert you. It’s important to train the model to only alert you when the person has an actual emergency and isn’t just on the ground because he’s checking, say, the base of a machine. 
3. Safety measures: many workplaces require proper attire for safety reasons. Think of hard hats, ear muffs or high-visibility jackets. Cameras trained by AI can detect if anyone isn’t up to code. It should be stressed that this system isn’t meant to check up on employees or punish them, but to improve the safety of a work environment.

3. In public spaces

Let’s face it: security cameras are all around us. Whether you’re driving on the highway or you’re walking down the main street in Brussels: you’re being filmed. It’s been like that for years — decades even. What’s new is that more and more security cameras in public places work with artificial intelligence. City cameras detect suspicious behaviour: is a person stealing, dealing drugs…? The AI behind the cameras will send a notification when it recognises certain behaviours. Traffic cameras automatically detect if someone is on their phone while driving. If the AI model catches you, expect a hefty fine in your letterbox. 

It’s important to note that as European citizens, we’re protected by the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act. This act aims to protect our fundamental rights and rules of law. It bans AI applications that threaten citizens’ rights (for example: emotion detection in the workplace), it states in which cases law enforcement can use AI (for example: to find a missing person) and it dictates transparency requirements for every general-purpose AI system. While it may feel uncomfortable to know that AI is used for public surveillance, it’s good to remember that there are strict rules about the usage of these images.