Argentinian President Javier Milei has announced the creation of a new security unit, the Artificial Intelligence Applied to Security Unit (UIAAS). This new unit is designed to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools to potentially predict future crimes. This represents another shift by Milei to integrate AI deeper into government operations, previously making broad changes to Argentina’s economic strategy with the intention to replace traditional government positions and organizations with AI systems.
The UIAAS is expected to employ AI tools to trawl social media and other online platforms to detect potential threats, anticipate disturbances and identify the movements of criminal groups. The unit will also analyze security camera images in real time to pick out suspicious activities and identify individuals through facial recognition technology. In many ways, this strategy mirrors the premise of Philip K Dick’s ‘Minority Report’, with AI acting as the predictive ‘Precog’.
This move has been justified by the Argentinian government through reference to the successes seen in other countries that have adopted similar approaches, including the USA, China, and Israel. However, there have been significant concerns raised about the potential human rights implications of predictive policing systems. The absence of clear framework to regulate real-time surveillance, facial recognition, and social media monitoring has ignited anxieties over privacy rights for civilians.
In particular, the Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information at the University of Palermo has voiced apprehension over how such technologies have been used in the past. Their research indicates that similar AI tools have been used to profile various groups including academics, journalists, politicians, and activists in an unsupervised manner. Without robust checks and balances to safeguard privacy rights and freedom of speech, there is a risk that the misuse of such technology could infringe upon these fundamental human rights.
Historically, Argentina has a troubled past with human rights, highlighting why this move to predictive policing has been met with unease. Moreover, in November during a contentious election both candidates were accused of using AI in questionable ways to create campaign and propaganda material.
As the technology continues to develop and improve, AI is likely to become more efficient at detecting and potentially even preventing crime situations. However, addressing the resultant issues concerning privacy and wider societal impacts remains a complex and crucial challenge in successfully integrating AI into security efforts. Whether Argentina is able to strike a balance that respects human rights while enhancing crime prevention, remains to be seen.
