Paris Olympics crowd scans fuel AI surveillance fears

Police officers patrol on the Trocadero square in front of the Olympic rings displayed on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic games in Paris, France, June 7, 2024. Campaigners are concerned AI crowd monitoring and facial recognition may become normal. — Reuters

LONDON: French plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators descending on Paris for the Olympics is a form of creeping surveillance, rights groups said.

French authorities have tested artificial intelligence surveillance systems at train stations, concerts and football matches in recent months.