AI systems used during France's Olympics inordinately single out minorities, subjecting them to acts of violence
Paris Transforms into a Highly Secured Fortress for the Olympics
As the Paris 2024 Olympics approaches, the city is undergoing a significant transformation, with Parisians expressing confusion and horror as their city transforms into a highly secured fortress. The Olympic Games, traditionally a celebration of sports and unity, have become a cause for anxiety and concern due to threats, attacks, and the negotiation of security for different groups.
The use of AI-powered surveillance technologies has been a contentious issue, with concerns about privacy violations and potential racial profiling. AI and computer vision technologies have been used extensively to track athlete movements in various sports, enhancing sports analytics, and to monitor crowds for security during the Games, including identifying unusual behaviors or threats. While the French government emphasizes the benefits of AI for event management and athlete performance, independent privacy advocates warn about the broader implications of AI-powered mass surveillance extending beyond sports to civil liberties concerns.
Advocacy groups, such as Human Rights Watch, have reported disproportionate targeting of individuals based on race and ethnicity by French police during identity checks. They have also criticized the inclusion of AI systems due to concerns about racial profiling and police abuse. The far-right National Rally's march into the mainstream is being fueled by French riots following the fatal police shooting of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old of Moroccan and Algerian descent.
The ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza have increased the potential for attacks on France, as it is an ally of both Ukraine and Israel. In response, military and police presence in Paris is being significantly increased, with domestic security forces on high alert for political demonstrations linked to the recent snap elections. Shops and restaurants in the restricted perimeters of Paris are practically deserted, reflecting the disruptions caused by the lockdown.
Environmentalists and other activist groups are also being monitored for potential disruptions during the Olympics. Anti-Olympics protest group Saccage 24 fears that safety precautions could lead to long-term securitization across the country. Paris is currently under lockdown due to heightened security measures for the Olympics, with the Games scheduled to start on Friday, 26 July 2024.
The tragic shooting of Nahel Merzouk has torn his family and the country apart, with many residents leaving Paris to avoid the disruptions caused by the lockdown. The officer involved in the shooting was later charged with voluntary homicide by a person in authority. French Gen Zers have expressed their feelings about the recent snap election results, with concerns about the future of their city and country.
As the world watches the Paris 2024 Olympics unfold, the city's transformation into a fortress serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by hosting such a large-scale event. The use of AI-powered surveillance technologies, while designed for safety and security, has sparked debates and criticisms related to racial profiling risks and infringements on privacy rights. The Paris Olympics will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the city and its residents, with the future of civil liberties and privacy rights hanging in the balance.
[1] Paris 2024 Olympics Employs AI-Powered Surveillance Technologies: Benefits and Concerns. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61477839
[2] Paris 2024 Olympics: Surveillance, Security, and Controversy. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/world/europe/paris-olympics-surveillance.html
[3] Paris 2024 Olympics: Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/07/12/paris-2024-olympics-cybersecurity-challenges-and-solutions/?sh=6a53297e5d3d
[4] Paris 2024 Olympics: Human Rights Watch Warns About AI-Powered Mass Surveillance. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/06/paris-2024-olympics-human-rights-watch-warns-about-ai-powered-mass-surveillance
- The ongoing debates about the use of AI-powered surveillance technologies during the Paris 2024 Olympics extend beyond sports, encompassing concerns about racial profiling and privacy rights in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- As concerns about security escalate due to the approaches of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the focus on political demonstrations and potential disructions by activist groups becomes a crucial aspect of crime-and-justice and general-news discussions.
