What was once science fiction is now pure reality. The world is already working with technologies to prevent crimes before they happen: using sophisticated software you can identify suspects and even anticipate dangerous situations.Amazon already ventured into facial recognition technology to prevent theft. As iProUP reported, the US Patent and Trademark Office issued a request from the company that describes how a network of cameras operates in conjunction with face recognition technology to identify people and act accordingly.In California, the Police employ PrePol, a system that, based on historical data, is able to determine, hour by hour, the areas in which the chances of an assault or a dispute between bands increase.Another example is that of the UK police, which uses a system called National Data Analytics Solution (NDAS) -a combination of artificial intelligence software and statistics- to assess the risk of a person committing a criminal act.Weeks ago, a match between Roma and Real Madrid served as a test bed for a semantic intelligence engine developed by Expert System that tracked any content or commentary in English, Spanish and Italian on social networks that indicated behaviors or intentions that could be potentially dangerous.Another relevant case has the Dubai police as the protagonist. As iProUP indicated, the most advanced patrol boats on the planet are already on the streets. Baptized as Ghiath, they are equipped with all kinds of technological advances, artificial intelligence and a facial recognition system to anticipate dangerous situations.The Chinese government has just presented its "social reputation system" in society. According to the same, all the inhabitants of the country can be classified as "dangerous or not dangerous" thanks to sophisticated mathematical algorithms that will process the information of each citizen obtained from social networks, courts and tribunals, police departments and affiliations to different social organizations or union. They will even make the corresponding identikits.The Asian giant has been building what it calls "the largest surveillance network of cameras in the world" and, according to official data, 170 million of these computers equipped with artificial intelligence have already been installed. It is expected that in the next three years they will surpass 600 million.This year it was also known that Corinthians, the football club of Brazil, implemented a Hikvision solution that combines cameras with different technologies (AI, license plate recognition, 360 panoramic view) and access control equipment.Another relevant case in Latin America is that of Nezahualcóyotl, the most densely populated place in Mexico and historically a center of high activity of criminal gangs.However, the city has also been the protagonist of one of the most successful citizen security systems in the world: the Proximity Police Model.The institution began using Microsoft technology to maximize and optimize the use of the information it collects in its operation. These data are analyzed by police intelligence software, with analytical and predictive capabilities, which facilitates tactical and strategic decision making."The solution uses Azure Data Factory to automate the data flow and process the information, Microsoft Machine Learning to execute the mathematical models of prediction and Power BI to visualize the information by means of boards", they explain from Microsoft to iProUP.Suspicious identityTechnology is also reinventing ways of working, redefining business strategies and helping organizations understand the growing volume of data to their credit. But it is also collaborating with citizen security.Companies in the field can, from artificial intelligence, offer their clients advanced recognition systems, cognitive applications, business services, safer software platforms and the possibility of simplifying the use of a domestic alarm."The AI ââis being implemented in applications: intelligent controls against changes in the flow of individuals in the streets, identifiable actions (such as subtraction of an object from a place) and even the prediction of air, land or river accidents," he told iProUP Sebastián Stranieri, CEO of VU Security."The function of artificial intelligence is to complement, strengthen and strengthen the processes of companies to reduce costs, accelerate times, increase sales and offer better services," completes the expert.According to Stranieri, this technology is applied in two ways:- In cars with autonomous driving or military drones, where continuous learning is used to make better decisions faster- In cybersecurity, by collaborating with the preservation of the identity of the users and the prevention of fraud with increasing effectiveness.On the other hand, Jorge Barragán, manager of Technical Service of SOLA of ADT, adds that the use of the AI ââ"is fundamental like complement to the current systems", since "allow the identification of faces or patents through the use of systems of video verification ".Once the faces are detected "it is possible to identify people who do not have their allowed access to a site, give notice through an alarm system and stop them or expel them from the place," he adds.Gustavo Guaragna, CEO of SnoopConsulting, complements: "AI is becoming more common in physical security, for example, with the use of certain biometric parameters.""Today, there are tools that allow biometrically to recognize the identity of users, not only for physical reasons but for behavioral characteristics: the way in which one types, how one walks in the street or makes a certain gesture, allows us to identify almost univocally if a user is who he claims to be, "he adds.For Roger de la Hoz, Hikvision's presales engineer, security solutions based on artificial intelligence are efficient to detect conventional behaviors by eliminating false alarms, since they can differentiate the object in the scene, for example, identify a vehicle or a person."Now there are new specialized behaviors that give an important turn to these solutions, such as facial recognition, behavior detection and specialized applications for specific markets such as smart traffic for cities."In ArgentinaAccording to Jorge Barragán, of ADT, "some transport companies already use cameras in their drivers to detect factions that indicate sleepiness or fatigue and allow to give an alert to a monitoring center and even to stop the vehicles to prevent accidents."These systems also identify certain movements or patterns to predict crimes or actions, and operate with more time in advance and even for deterrence," he says.And complete: "Many international airports already use artificial intelligence to identify objects immobile or of a certain size to avoid possible terrorist attacks."In Argentina, some of these tools are already being implemented at the Ezeiza International Airport. "New systems have been incorporated to carry out the migration process that is 100% autonomous and includes, in addition to the recognition of biometric data, the use of AI", says the manager.In addition, anticipates that ADT are using "video surveillance systems applied to large projects that allow the identification of faces and patents." And he adds that its Johnson Controls Innovation technological development center "works constantly in these developments for its application in large projects".Another local case is that of Hikvision, which implemented in Rosario a video surveillance solution in groups based on artificial intelligence algorithms to improve processes and make more accurate decisions through the analysis, detection and prediction of relevant information.For his part, Juan José D'Alessandro, Commercial Director of Softtek South America Hispana, tells iProUP that they are working from their Innovation Lab on concept tests for different industries. Retail is one of the sectors that demand more solutions."There are organizations that ask us to apply cameras and artificial intelligence to identify by facial features the thieves who use the 'ant-theft / micro-theft' format," he adds.In Argentina, the firm did something similar for the Hippodrome of Palermo, aimed at counting people and locating "self-excluded". That is, individuals with prohibited income to the Casino. And they are working with a major automaker to detect if the driver is falling asleep.Linked with this, the head of VU Security informs that they are developing a system together with Microsoft and Supervielle Bank so that people enter the bank without a password through a login with facial recognition."From the use of AI, in three seconds, with a selfie and a smile to the camera, users access their accounts", explains Stranieri. "This guarantees the digital identity of the clients, since facial recognition is the safest authentication method of all because it uses something unique and unrepeatable: our face," he adds.Tiger, pioneerThe locality of Tigre from Buenos Aires began to implement, since 2008, technology for the fight against crime, with the incorporation of the first cameras and the complete re-equipment of its security area. In 2011, after four years of work together with technology companies, the municipality created the Tigre Operations Center (COT)."The challenge was to centralize, integrate and consolidate security operations in one place, coordinating and optimizing the resources of several security agents, first aid, traffic control, public transport, civil defense, police and firefighters," he says. iProUP Julio Zamora, mayor of Tigre.Interactive cameras were also installed in the renovated squares of the district, which allow rapid communication between the neighbors and the COT before a criminal act, through an anti-panic button and an intercom.Video surveillance devices can detect suspicious movements at night time and monitor individuals. They also have facial recognition of wanted or lost people.According to figures from CESVI, since 2008 the car theft rate has dropped by 80%, which makes Tigre the municipality with the lowest percentage of this type of accident in the country.Back and projectionWhile it is true that artificial intelligence is useful in citizen security, its use can be object of questioning, since it affects the privacy of people.Like all technology, much will depend on how it is used. In good hands, artificial intelligence will anticipate dangerous situations and improve the quality of life of people.In this sense, Nathalie Alvarado, coordinator of the area of ââCitizen Security and Justice of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), affirms that "Latin America is one of the most violent regions in the world", so "the incorporation of new technologies to help in the prevention of crime is essential. ""It can be a marvel, but you have to see to what extent it does not replace the criteria of a judge, especially in matters that affect the quality of life of a person," he adds.Surveillance or persecution? Minorityreport? Black Mirror? 1984? Anyway, the possibilities of technology have ceased to be part of science fiction and today, well used, can revolutionize the way we live.