Not just AI – let the eyes of conscience also be vigilant
There are many ways to measure the civility of the citizens of a metropolis.
One of these subtle criteria is how much the people of that metropolis obey traffic laws.
The recent initiative to install artificial intelligence (AI)-based cameras at traffic signals in capital Dhaka is important in this context.
These cameras, installed at various intersections, are automatically detecting traffic violations and are being used to file cases and fines.
Action has been taken against hundreds of vehicles in just a few weeks since the trial launch.
According to media reports, the number of cases against buses is the highest.
It would be wrong to call this initiative just an application of technology; it is basically an attempt to change human behavior.
While it is possible to avoid the presence of traffic police, it is difficult to evade an ever-vigilant mechanical eye.
It has been seen that after the installation of cameras, many drivers have started stopping their cars before zebra crossings and the tendency to obey signals has also increased.
Many cities around the world are already using this technology. Singapore’s smart traffic management, London’s ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), Dubai’s AI-controlled road monitoring, New York’s red-light cameras, Shanghai and Beijing’s intelligent traffic networks – all are using artificial intelligence to detect vehicle speed, signal disobedience, illegal parking, and license plate recognition.
In many cases, this technology has played a significant role in reducing accidents and increasing traffic efficiency.
In the case of Dhaka, the camera is identifying the number plate and matching it with the BRTA database to determine the identity of the criminal.
In other words, the technology is effective only when the administrative information system is accurate and up-to-date.
But like any technology, it also has limitations. First, AI cameras are not 100 percent accurate all the time.
Misidentifications can occur due to weather, poor lighting, blurred license plates, or technical glitches.
Secondly, the machine can detect rule violations, but it cannot understand the reason for the violation.
If a driver is in an exceptional situation requiring emergency medical care, the camera will not consider his or her background.
As a result, the need for human judgment is never completely eliminated.
Developed countries are also looking for answers to this question.
Therefore, AI cameras are not really a magic wand.
They are a kind of mirror that shows the true face of our street culture. The question is ultimately about our civic character.
No matter how sharp the eyes of machines may be, the eyes of human conscience will ultimately have to be awakened to build a civilized city.
