The barbaric act of brutally raping and killing a doctor in RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata the other day has remained a shock to the nation and even the whole world. This heart wrenching event raises an old and uncomfortable question: Hum apni suraksha ke liye kis par bharosa karein? And as we recall this tragic event, one has to wonder why we stay with conventional security measures and systems when we can have AI which may contain these act in time. Thus the need for AI and modern securities system has never been more urgent, we have the tools to ensure that tragedies like this one never happen again. So, why aren’t we using them?
To understand how the use of AI can avoid such occurrence like the one that was experienced at RG Kar Medical College, it is necessary to look into details the working of an AI security system. These systems employ sophisticated algorithms that enable it work on a large amount of data obtained from video feeds, motion detectors, and other sensors in real time. Unlike human guards who might miss something or be in the wrong place at the wrong time, AI systems can monitor multiple areas simultaneously without getting tired or distracted.
In case of when AI detects something queer for instance someone has breached a restricted area or is acting in an abnormal manner the AI alerts security whose next course of action is to act. This response is very important is in order to avoid the situation get worst in affecting many lives. And also, one can state that, as the AI system can get acquainted with similar situations, it will enhance its performance in terms of threat identification. This means that the longer the system is in place the more it evolves and develops into a recognized system that can detect certain impending evils.
The development of AI systems shall follow the same fundamental approach as the experienced detective becomes more efficient in solving cases with every single case because AI learns from data and feedback mechanisms.
What I am talking is not a science fiction, it is happening in the other part of world like many states and organization has integrated the Artificial intelligence in their security system. One such example is in the New York there is a City’s Domain Awareness System (DAS), which was built in association with the Microsoft. In this system AI works as it monitors the thousands of CCTV cameras across the city and analyse the real time video feeds and identifies the illicit or suspicious behaviour and then they quickly informed to the security agencies. This system is effective and efficient as it allows the security agencies to respond to the threat in a proactive manner and they can be very much capable of then curb the threats before it escalate into the serious incident, that model of integrating modern technology with the traditional one, can be very much effective and we should adopt also and make and work towards modernising our security measures. Although, we should appreciate the Indian Railway board as they are going to integrate the artificial intelligence systems for the upcoming Kumbh mela to monitor the tracks and it also prevents any damage that may come by antisocial element. This will set an example that AI can be deployed and easily adopted within the established setup and it can also ensure the safety of the entire railway line. This means that by incorporating conventional security measures with artificial intelligence capabilities like what happened during this event, it guarantees that current investments are not thrown away but instead built upon thereby enabling better risk control through active monitoring where necessary.
Had such integrated systems been implemented at RG Kar Medical College, AI might have detected abnormal activities or unauthorized access in real time thus alerting security personnel before the tragic event occurred. The potential of security systems is shown by this successful combination of conventional surveillance and artificial intelligence to protect institutions most likely to be attacked such as hospitals. It also prevent future incidents from happening again.
Analysing the growing incidence of attacks on healthcare personnel along with the understanding that hospitals and medical colleges are weak points, it can be stated that traditional measures taken may not be enough. A camera alone cannot prevent a determined criminal from perpetrating the crime and security personnel cannot also monitor all areas at once, but these two tools can complement each other especially with AI support. AI has the capacity to monitor those areas that may not be easily noticed or are not easily accessible hence the promise of no part of a building is left unmonitored. And also it can be integrated with access control systems which directs only the authorised persons to some specific areas hence reducing cases of intruders who may bring such calamities. Thus, in this sense AI is all seeing protector that is never tired.
An important concern regarding integration of AI in safety is the invasion of privacy, while these systems gives more safety than before, they also bring concerns on excessive surveillance, to which reply at the moment is the Information Technology Act 2000, concerning electronic surveillance and data protection. Section 66E of IT Act deals specifically with privacy protection, making it illegal to capture or distribute pictures/videos without consent where a person expects privacy should prevalence place exist under broader legal provisions relating maintenance public order safety through use such this these there be done. Despite these provisions, there is a need for updating the legal framework so as to accommodate advancements brought about by AI driven security systems.
What happened at RG Kar Medical College must act as a wakeup call for all of us, because we have been negligent or those who risk their lives every day. Thus if at all we are going to avert such experience from happening again AI has to be an integral part of our security systems. The tools are there waiting to be used, let’s protect our institutions together with people who are associated with such institutions either to work or study.
This is not merely about technology, it is about being proactive, assuming responsibility and envisioning what may happen if things are not changed otherwise the tragedy at RG Kar will continue to haunt us in form of similar events that in one way or the other could have been prevented if the correct strategies and adequate equipment were employed. We cannot wait for anything more as this point means entry into the age where everything requires protection and thus is considered as dangerous unless proven otherwise.
There should be no waste of the sorrowing circumstance that follows the tragic event that happened in RG Kar Medical College. We have to make this a moment of change which will push us towards an era where technology is utilised for protection of lives, towards preventing such tragedy and ensuring that such things do not happen in places meant for healing and saving lives again. Well, we now have it in our capabilities to prevent another disaster, so please let’s do it now!
The author is Fellow(IDEAS) and Doctoral Candidate(Law), O.P. Jindal Global University