In a rapidly evolving and ever accelerating world, where technology seems to advance at the speed of light, one field has seen remarkable progress – the development of targeting technologies and surveillance sensors using artificial intelligence and the release of numerous large language models and generative AI tools. New systems equipped with artificial intelligence are transforming the way military and law enforcement agencies operate, providing them with unprecedented capabilities for intelligence gathering, threat detection, and more.
The Rise of AI in Surveillance
Advancements in artificial intelligence have opened up new frontiers in surveillance. AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, helping agencies identify potential threats and monitor areas more efficiently than ever before. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data from various sources, such as cameras, sensors, and social media, in real-time. This automation enables surveillance systems to detect anomalies, patterns, and potential threats more efficiently than human operators alone. AI-powered surveillance systems can predict potential security threats by analyzing historical data. For example, they can identify patterns of criminal behavior, helping law enforcement allocate resources more effectively and prevent crimes before they occur. AI enables surveillance cameras to recognize and track specific objects or individuals. This capability is invaluable in tracking suspects or identifying missing persons quickly. AI can analyze human behavior patterns in public spaces, helping identify unusual or suspicious activities. This can be particularly useful in crowded areas like airports or train stations. Facial recognition technology, a subset of AI, allows surveillance systems to identify and track individuals by analyzing their facial features. While controversial due to privacy concerns, it has practical applications in locating persons of interest and enhancing security.
AI can generate real-time alerts for security personnel based on predefined criteria. For instance, if a surveillance camera detects an unauthorized person in a restricted area, it can immediately notify authorities, expediting response times. AI can reduce the volume of data that needs to be stored by filtering out irrelevant footage. This not only saves storage costs but also simplifies the process of retrieving critical information when needed. AI-equipped drones can autonomously patrol areas, providing aerial surveillance without human intervention. They can cover vast territories, monitor hard-to-reach locations, and respond rapidly to emerging situations. AI can identify patterns in data that might go unnoticed by human operators. This can include detecting trends in criminal activity, tracking the movement of vehicles, or identifying potential security vulnerabilities. AI can integrate with the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as sensors and smart cameras, to create a comprehensive surveillance network. These interconnected devices can share data and provide a more holistic view of the environment.
LiDAR Technology: A Game Changer
One of the most significant breakthroughs in surveillance technology is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). LiDAR sensors use laser pulses to create high-resolution 3D maps of the environment. This technology has found crucial applications in autonomous vehicles, but it’s also revolutionizing the way surveillance is conducted. LiDAR’s ability to create detailed 3D maps enables precise targeting. Military drones and surveillance systems equipped with LiDAR can identify targets with incredible accuracy, reducing collateral damage and increasing mission success rates.
“Our adversaries are very aggressive in this space too, and we have to remember that they can weaponize and maybe occasionally are weaponizing this technology against us. We’ve seen some pretty dramatic examples of deepfakes — a very powerful form of AI — in this threat environment,”
Jennifer Ewbank, Deputy Director for Innovation at CIA | SEP 12, 2023
Smart Cameras and Facial Recognition
Artificial intelligence-driven smart cameras are transforming the way law enforcement identifies individuals. Facial recognition technology, in particular, is a powerful tool for locating and tracking persons of interest in real-time, but it also raises significant ethical and privacy concerns.
Drones and AI: A Deadly Duo
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a staple in military and law enforcement operations. When paired with AI, these drones can autonomously navigate complex environments, identify threats, and even engage targets with precision, all while keeping human operators out of harm’s way. The integration of drones and artificial intelligence has given rise to a formidable partnership. When AI is harnessed to these flying platforms, they transform into intelligent, autonomous agents capable of navigating complex environments, identifying threats, and executing precision strikes. This convergence of technologies not only enhances the effectiveness of missions but also minimizes human risk, making it a powerful and potentially game-changing combination.
New Sensors Powered by AI
Sentient Vison is a leading developer of Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence software solutions for defense and law enforcement. They have developed ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging), the world’s first Optical Radar, a maritime wide area optical search system proven to operate up to Sea State 6. ViDAR autonomously finds objects on the surface of the ocean over vastly greater areas than traditional search methods. ViDAR is able to detect objects that are very small – much beyond the capability of the human eye – to dramatically extend the coverage of the aircraft in a broad range of search missions including search and rescue, illegal fishing, counter narcotics and maritime security.
A Defense & Security Data Fabric Powered by AI
The Defense Simulation Analytical Service (DSaS), powered by AI & Red Hat OpenShift, is a defense data fabric for CIA and Air Force Intelligence officers, and offers commanders and analysts a scalable platform ecosystem that allows an operation center to leverage data, visualizations, simulation capabilities, and decision support that can help determine the best course of action at the speed of relevance with holistic cross-domain consideration.
In this Ukraine Scenario from The American Enterprise Institute for example:
1. An analyst can choose from a wide range of visuals from city and local monitoring, city aerial view feed, roadway and traffic cameras, drones with high overhead tactical views, air traffic and commercial environmental monitoring.
2. Is able to review emerging media (social & TV news) related to Russia’s recent air/land/sea/space activity around Ukraine.
3. Obtains live monitoring via real time and recent satellite and social images.
4. Receives automated visual views with feeds and analytics that are automatically filtered based on activity and relevance.
Data Security and Privacy Concerns
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into surveillance and targeting technologies has brought forth critical concerns regarding data security and privacy. As AI-powered systems collect and process vast amounts of sensitive information, the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks looms large. Unauthorized access to surveillance data can compromise national security, and the potential for misuse or leaks can have far-reaching consequences. Therefore, robust encryption, authentication protocols, and secure storage practices are essential to safeguarding this data from malicious actors who might exploit it for criminal or geopolitical purposes.
Privacy concerns are equally paramount, as AI surveillance can infringe upon the rights of individuals. Facial recognition and behavioral analysis technologies, for example, have the potential to track and monitor people without their consent, raising significant ethical questions. Striking a balance between using AI for legitimate security purposes and protecting individual privacy rights is a delicate task that requires comprehensive regulation and oversight. Policymakers must establish clear guidelines to ensure that surveillance and targeting technologies operate within the boundaries of the law while respecting citizens’ fundamental rights to privacy and personal freedom.
Law enforcement and intelligence services in the United States possess technology to remotely activate the microphones in cell phones in order to listen to conversations that take place nearby the person who holds the phone.
| SORM (Russia): A technical system used by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation to monitor internet and telephone communication. |
| Golden Shield (China): Also known as the “Great Firewall of China”, it is a censorship and surveillance project operated by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) |
| PRISM (USA): A clandestine national security electronic surveillance program operated by the National Security Agency (NSA) that can monitor US and International Corporations. |
| Central Monitoring System (CMS) (India): A data collection system similar to the NSA’s PRISM program. It enables the Government of India to listen to phone conversations, intercept e-mails and text messages, monitor posts on social networking service and track searches on Google. |
| Project 6 (Germany): A global surveillance project jointly operated by the German intelligence agencies Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) and Bundesamt fur Verfassungsschutz (BfV) in close cooperation with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). |
| Royal Concierge (United Kingdom): Sends daily alerts to GCHQ whenever a booking is made from a “.gov.” second-level domain at select hotels worldwide. |
| X-Keyscore (Sweden): A system used for searching and analyzing internet data about foreign nationals. |
| INDECT (European Union): Research project funded by the European Union to develop surveillance methods (e.g. processing of CCTV camera data streams) for the monitoring of abnormal behaviors in an urban environment. |
Conclusion
The integration of artificial intelligence into targeting technologies and surveillance sensors represents a profound shift in how military and law enforcement agencies operate now and into the near future. While these advancements hold great promise for enhancing national security, they also bring forth ethical and privacy concerns that demand careful consideration. As we navigate this brave new world of AI-driven surveillance, it promises to better inform how to deliver the right war winning capabilities, when and where needed.
About PWK International Advisers
PWK International provides national security consulting and advisory services to clients across the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Energy, and the Intelligence Community. From cognitive partnerships, cyber security, data visualization and mission systems engineering, we bring insights from our direct experience with the U.S. Government and recommend bold plans that take calculated risks to deliver winning strategies in the national security and intelligence sector. PWK International – Your Mission, Assured.
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