Argentina To Utilize Artificial Intelligence To ‘Predict Future Crimes’ And ‘Detect Potential Threats’

Is Argentina preparing to rollout real-life ‘Minority Report?’

The country’s Ministry of Security announced it will apply artificial intelligence technology in the ‘prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crime and its connections.’

“That Resolution No. 428/24 of the MINISTRY OF SECURITY approved the guidelines, principles, criteria, recommendations, and directives for the prevention of crimes that take place in cyber environments,” the announcement read (translated).

“That in accordance with the foregoing, it is opportune and necessary to create an ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO SECURITY UNIT (UIAAS) within the orbit of the Directorate of Cybercrime and Cyber Affairs under the CABINET OF ADVISORS UNIT of this Ministry,” it added.

Once again, where are the Milei supporters on this one?

Argentina will use AI to ‘predict future crimes’ but experts worry for citizens’ rightshttps://t.co/1yLDvf577w

— Derrick Broze (@DBrozeLiveFree) August 2, 2024

The Guardian reports:

It is also expected to deploy facial recognition software to identify “wanted persons”, patrol social media, and analyse real-time security camera footage to detect suspicious activities.

While the ministry of security has said the new unit will help to “detect potential threats, identify movements of criminal groups or anticipate disturbances”, the Minority Report-esque resolution has sent alarm bells ringing among human rights organisations.

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Experts fear that certain groups of society could be overly scrutinised by the technology, and have also raised concerns over who – and how many security forces – will be able to access the information.

Amnesty International warned that the move could infringe on human rights. “Large-scale surveillance affects freedom of expression because it encourages people to self-censor or refrain from sharing their ideas or criticisms if they suspect that everything they comment on, post, or publish is being monitored by security forces,” said Mariela Belski, the executive director of Amnesty International Argentina.

Meanwhile, the Argentine Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information said such technologies have historically been used to “profile academics, journalists, politicians and activists”, which, without supervision, threatens privacy.

Argentina going full on minority report. pic.twitter.com/RuNJFd3mkN

— Agorist Nexus (@AgoristN) August 2, 2024

Argentina plans to use AI to “predict future crimes and help prevent them”

Argentina announced plans last week to use artificial intelligence to “predict future crimes” before they’re initiated. The concept was announced by the county’s Ministry of Security as a new… pic.twitter.com/9JypAIhJ6h

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) August 3, 2024

Per CBS News:

Security Minister Patricia Bullrich signed a resolution saying it would “significantly improve the efficiency of the different areas of the ministry and of the federal police and security forces, allowing for faster and more precise responses to threats and emergencies.”

According to the announcement, the new unit will “use machine learning algorithms to analyze historical crime data to predict future crimes and help prevent them.”

The ministry cited the United States, China, Israel and other countries as being pioneers in the use of AI in security operations.

Human rights groups are concerned the new measures could infringe on freedom of expression as members of the public may self-censor for fear their social media posts will be subjected to government monitoring.

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#MinorityReport: Argentina’s security forces have announced plans to use artificial intelligence to “predict future crimes” in a move experts have warned could threaten citizens’ rights. https://t.co/8WOkgpLT1N

— Geopolitics & Empire (@Geopolitics_Emp) August 1, 2024

Read the full announcement below (translated):

City of Buenos Aires, 07/26/2024

HAVING SEEN File No. EX-2024-72915289–APN-UGA#MSG, the Law on Ministries (text ordered by Decree No. 438 of March 12, 1992) and its amendments, Decree No. 50 of December 19, 2019 and its amendments, Administrative Decision No. 340 of May 16, 2024, Resolution of the MINISTRY OF SECURITY No. 428 of May 27, 2024, and

INASMUCH:

That the Law on Ministries (as amended in 1992) establishes the competence of the MINISTRY OF SECURITY in all matters relating to internal security, the preservation of the freedom, life and property of the inhabitants, their rights and guarantees in a framework of full force and effect of the institutions of the democratic system.

That the advancement of technology, in particular Artificial Intelligence, represents one of the most relevant socio-technological changes for the general population.

That countries such as the United States of America, China, the United Kingdom, Israel, France, Singapore, India, among others, are pioneers in the use of Artificial Intelligence in their areas of government and Security Forces.

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That the aforementioned countries use Artificial Intelligence in Video Analysis and Facial Recognition, Crime Prediction, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, Drones and Robotics, Communication and Coordination, Virtual Assistants and Automation, Social Network Analysis and Fraud and Anomaly Detection.

That its use can significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the different areas of the MINISTRY OF SECURITY and the Federal Police and Security Forces, helping them to respond faster and more accurately to threats and emergency situations.

That these countries are at the forefront in the integration of artificial intelligence technologies to strengthen the safety and security of their citizens, improving their efficiency and effectiveness.

That is why it is essential to apply Artificial Intelligence in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crime and its connections.

That in accordance with Administrative Decision No. 340/24, it is the responsibility of the Directorate of Cybercrime and Cyber Affairs: 4. To assist the CABINET OF ADVISORS UNIT in the implementation and operation of the CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIONS OF HIGH-TECH CYBERCRIME (CICAT) created by Resolution MSG No. 139/22.

That Resolution No. 428/24 of the MINISTRY OF SECURITY approved the guidelines, principles, criteria, recommendations, and directives for the prevention of crimes that take place in cyber environments.

That the formation of Work Units is based on criteria of rationality and efficiency, giving rise to dynamic structures that are adaptable to changes.

That in accordance with the foregoing, it is opportune and necessary to create an ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO SECURITY UNIT (UIAAS) within the orbit of the Directorate of Cybercrime and Cyber Affairs under the CABINET OF ADVISORS UNIT of this Ministry.

That this measure does not imply any budgetary expenditure.

That the legal advice service of this Ministry has taken the intervention of its competence.

That the undersigned is competent to issue this measure by virtue of the powers conferred in Article 4, paragraph b), paragraphs 6 and 9, and 22 bis of the Law on Ministries (T.O. 1992).

Therefore,

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THE MINISTER OF SECURITY

SOLVE

ARTICLE 1.- The ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO SECURITY UNIT (UIAAS) is hereby created, which shall operate in the Directorate of Cybercrime and Cyber Affairs under the CABINET OF ADVISORS UNIT.

ARTICLE 2.- The ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO SECURITY UNIT (UIAAS) shall be headed by the Director of Cybercrime and Cyber Affairs and composed of the areas of the Federal Police and Security Forces competent in the matter, whose representatives shall be appointed by the highest authority of each of these forces.

ARTICLE 3.- The mission of the ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO SECURITY UNIT (UIAAS) is to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute crime and its connections through the use of artificial intelligence.

ARTICLE 4.- The functions of the ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO SECURITY UNIT (UIAAS), in order to carry out the mission indicated in the previous article, are:

to. Patrol open social networks, applications and Internet sites, as well as the so-called “Deep Web” or “Dark-Web”, in order to investigate crimes and identify their perpetrators, as well as the detection of situations of serious risk to security, within the framework of the National Constitution and current legislation.

b. Identify and compare images on physical or virtual media.

c. Analyze security camera footage in real time to detect suspicious activity or identify wanted individuals using easy recognition.

d. Use machine learning algorithms to analyze historical crime data to predict future crimes and help prevent them.

and. Identify unusual patterns in computer networks and detect cyber threats before attacks occur. This includes identifying malware, phishing, and other forms of cyberattack.

f. Process large volumes of data from various sources to extract useful information and create profiles of suspects or identify links between different cases.

g. Drone patrol large areas, provide aerial surveillance, and respond to emergencies.

h. Performing dangerous tasks, such as deactivating explosives, by robots.

i. Improve communication and coordination between different Federal Police and Security Forces and thus ensure that critical information is shared quickly and efficiently.

j. Analyze social media activities to detect potential threats, identify movements of criminal groups, or predict riots.

k. Detect suspicious financial transactions or anomalous behavior that could indicate illegal activities.

ARTICLE 5.- The ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO SECURITY UNIT (UIAAS) will adapt its missions and functions to the guidelines, principles, criteria, recommendations and directives for the preventive work of crimes that take place in cyber environments approved by RESOL-2024-428-APN-MSG.

ARTICLE 6.- It shall be communicated, published, given to the NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRY and filed.

Patricia Bullrich

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.