Argentina has apparently taken a significant step in this direction with President Javier Mila's announcement to create a dedicated security unit that will use AI to predict future crimes.
This initiative, which seems straight out of science fiction, aims to use machine learning algorithms to analyze historical crime data and identify patterns that could indicate potential crimes or attacks. According to an article published by EL PAÍS, the new Unit of Artificial Intelligence Applied to Security (UIAAS) will be responsible not only for monitoring the virtual space, but also for surveillance in the real world, using technologies such as security cameras and drones.
However, this approach is not without controversy. There are concerns about possible privacy and human rights violations, as experts cited by news sources have warned. In addition, there are questions about the effectiveness of social media-based predictive policing technologies, which, according to some studies, have yet to demonstrate a convincing success rate on a large scale.
Despite these concerns, the Argentine government seems determined to move forward with the plan, inspired by examples from other countries that have begun to integrate AI into their security and police forces. This move reflects a global trend to embrace technology as a potential tool for improving efficiency and accuracy in threat and emergency responses.