Seoul Embraces AI to Bolster Public Safety in Crowded Areas
Lawmakers from Seoul’s City Council responsible for urban safety and construction undertook a field inspection on March 23rd to scrutinize an artificial intelligence (AI) powered crowd detection system established around Seokchon Lake in Songpa District. This initiative is part of the efforts to harness technology following the Itaewon tragedy that took place on October 29, 2022.
During this session, committee members visited the CCTV Integrated Control Center in Jamsil 2-dong within Songpa District. They received thorough briefings from the Disaster Safety Office of Seoul and Songpa District’s Advanced Urban Department on the operational status of the AI system developed to monitor crowd densities.
The system, deployed adjacent to Seokchon Lake, includes crowd-detecting CCTVs and real-time danger advisory boards which were meticulously reviewed for functionality and coverage. The Seoul metropolitan government has reportedly invested approximately KRW 7.8 billion to install 889 crowd detection CCTVs across 81 crowded areas in 25 districts since December following the aftermath of the Itaewon disaster.
Officials in Songpa noted that the AI crowd management system not only enhances citizen safety significantly but also streamlines administrative efforts in population-dense zones.
The chairperson of the committee, along with fellow urban safety construction lawmakers, emphasized on the urgency of identifying and addressing any potential blind spots not covered by the detection CCTVs. They also recommended crafting a detailed map indicating high-risk areas for a more effective management strategy. Members from various political parties accompanied the committee, signifying a collaborative approach in achieving urban safety objectives.
Key Questions and Answers:
– What prompted Seoul to implement AI crowd detection systems?
The Itaewon tragedy on October 29, 2022, where a crowd crush resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries, served as the catalyst for Seoul to adopt AI for crowd management to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
– How does the AI crowd detection system work?
The system uses crowd-detecting CCTVs to monitor crowd densities in real-time, alerting the authorities to potential overcrowding and allowing them to manage the situation proactively to ensure public safety.
– What are the key challenges or controversies associated with AI crowd detection?
Some key challenges include ensuring the system’s accuracy and reliability, protecting individuals’ privacy, and addressing potential blind spots in the system. There is also a debate on how much dependence on technology is appropriate for public safety, and potential controversies could arise around data protection and ethical surveillance.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
1. Enhanced Public Safety: By providing real-time monitoring of crowd density, rapid response to potential dangers can be implemented to prevent tragedies like the Itaewon incident.
2. Administrative Efficiency: The system streamlines the management of population-dense zones, allowing for better allocation of resources and personnel.
3. Scalability: AI systems can be expanded and updated with additional cameras or improved software to cover new areas as needed.
Disadvantages:
1. Privacy Concerns: The use of surveillance technology raises the issue of privacy and the potential for abuse in tracking individuals without their consent.
2. Dependence on Technology: Over-reliance on the system could reduce the effectiveness of human judgment and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
3. Blind Spots: Identifying and covering all potential blind spots is challenging and can be a gap in the system, leaving some areas unmonitored.
For additional information on urban safety and crowd management technology, you can visit the following Seoul Metropolitan Government website. Please ensure to check the validity of URLs as the specific URL for the crowd detection system might not be provided directly on the main page.