SCMP: Chinese law enforcers told use AI, big data to improve security in unstable times

  • Top official calls for efforts to curb ‘major social incidents’ through expanded surveillance programme and ‘city brains’
  • Chen Yixin spoke to cadres during a three-day trip to the southern province of Guangdong last week

A top Chinese security official has told law enforcement officers to make use of hi-tech tools like big data and

artificial intelligence

 at a time of rising uncertainties at home and abroad.

Chen Yixin, secretary general of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, which oversees law enforcement and security, made the remarks during a tour of southern Guangdong province last week. He visited seven cities – including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanwei – and held seminars with local cadres during the three-day trip, according to a statement from the commission.

“The security environment at home and abroad has become increasingly complicated, with increasingly unstable and uncertain factors,” Chen was quoted as saying. “It is especially important to lay a solid foundation for social governance and security now.”

Chen said there was an urgent need to improve public security at the grass-roots level to curb “major social incidents” – which usually refers to violent crimes. He said this could be done by expanding the Xueliang Project, or Sharp Eyes, a surveillance programme using cameras in rural areas, by using the

AI systems in place across the country

 known as “city brains”, and by using smart applications to improve public safety and communication.

Read more at  https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3149869/chinese-law-enforcers-told-use-ai-big-data-improve-security