Some In Chicago Upset Over Using AI For Shoplifting Detection

Of course they are

AI-powered shoplifting detection expands in Chicago-area stores, but some raise concerns

Artificial intelligence is being used in about two dozen stores across the Chicago area to help identify suspected shoplifting as it happens, with supporters saying the technology improves theft prevention while critics raise concerns about surveillance and potential misuse.

Veesion, the company behind the software, says the technology works by adding AI software to existing security camera systems. According to the company, the system analyzes activity in real time and alerts store employees when it detects suspicious behavior.

“Up until now, retailors have leveraged camera systems in more of a passive manor. Identifying shoplifting if and when it’s happening, and then trying to control the problem, right,” said Hiren Mowji of Veesion. “With AI you have basically an algorithm that’s watching 24/7, right. It’s more consistent, it’s more efficient, it doesn’t get tired for example, and it’s able to alert you if and when there is suspicious activity.”

OK, but, it’s Chicago: will the cops bother doing anything when called due to far-left prosecutors not bothering to prosecute?

While some shoppers support the technology, others worry about privacy and surveillance.

“it’s slippery slope with that footage nothing can be deleted forever it could still be used to surveille regular people walking around in stores,” said Franki Flameno.

Veesion said the system does not collect facial recognition data or biometrics.

People are being surveilled regardless of AI, because some people are thieves.

“JK you do wonder if the AI can be used to target someone if they are black? Absolutely not saying that wit will be, but it could,” Merritt said. “I don’t want it to be used to discriminate against people of color.”

And there you go. Raaaaacism. Despite all those videos of “people of color” going into stores and stealing. Should be a hoot once Big Democrat Cities start using AI to recognize serious crime in the streets, to be able to respond to gunshots better than Shotspotter.

Meanwhile

As bosses push workers to use AI, a Kentucky man found a way to opt out: a federal law protecting religious beliefs

As a teenager, David Durman would read works by Enlightenment philosopher David Hume and the Stoics. Their ideas led him to adopt the Humanist faith, a nontheist system he said centers human well-being and flourishing, which he’s kept for 30 years.

Because Humanism’s emphasis is on moral responsibility for one’s choices, the now 45-year-old administrator at the University of Kentucky felt uncomfortable by the “growing normalization” of AI products and systems at work, where colleagues and leadership offered “mounting suggestions” of how to use the tools and floated the idea of going to conventions to learn more about AI. For Durman—who disables Gemini on his Google searches and generally disables as many AI features as he can—surrendering any tasks to the technology chafes against what he sees as the goals of his faith. (snip)

While the University of Kentucky doesn’t yet have an AI directive, Durman said he wanted to preempt “any work environment move towards an actual requirement.” In August, he filed an accommodation request under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act—which protects religious views and nontheistic ones—to the university to be exempt from AI usage with the help of his attorney Alexandria Huiskens, who works with the American Humanist Association.

That is novel. I know the bosses want us to use more AI for crafting texts and emails to customers, but, I do not find a lot of benefit to it. I use it for a few short things, where I copy and paste the text and then hit the AI convert button, but, in a lot of cases when I write a bigger one AI does not convert better. Sometimes it makes it look like the 80s, where it takes a happy birthday wish and includes a “come buy something” message. Nope. I simply have a ton of pre-written messages that are bigger.

Anyhow, where are all the articles of doom and gloom on AI lately? They were big just a month ago, now almost nothing.