New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it is exploring the use of artificial intelligence systems for "predictive prevention" of crime and dangerous behavior on the city's subway platforms. Michael Kemper, the MTA's chief safety officer, said the agency is "researching and piloting technologies such as artificial intelligence to sense potentially troublesome or problematic behavior on subway platforms."
"If someone acts irrationally ... that could trigger an alarm, prompting a response from security and/or the police," he explained at an MTA Safety Committee meeting on Monday, stressing that the police response could come "before something happens."
“Artificial intelligence is the future,” he added, noting that New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is “currently working with technology companies” to study “what technologies can work in the subway system.” Kemper did not say which companies the MTA is working with, how the AI will be implemented, or exactly what behaviors these AI-powered cameras will be able to detect.
However, MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan confirmed to The Gothamist that the new system will not rely on facial recognition. “The technology the MTA is exploring is designed to identify behaviors, not people,” Donovan said.
This isn’t the MTA’s first use of artificial intelligence. Back in 2023, the MTA disclosed that it was using artificial intelligence surveillance software to track subway fare evaders, monitoring when, where and how most fare evasion occurs.