Facial Recognition: A Technology Shaping Our Lives

We live in a world where surveillance cameras and software can identify us hundreds of times a day while we go about our business in public. But have you ever wondered why this technology is so prevalent? It was allegedly created to make our lives safer, but does it actually do that for better or for worse? In this article, we'll delve into the world of facial recognition and explore its history, uses, benefits, and drawbacks.

The History of Facial Recognition

The first functional facial recognition system was created by Woody Bledsoe, Helen Chan Wolfe, and Charles Bisson, and can be traced back to the 1960s. However, it wasn't until after September 11, 2001, that security agencies and law enforcement identified facial recognition technology as a tool that could have prevented thousands of deaths that day. Since then, facial recognition tech has become ubiquitous, with applications ranging from airports to traffic cameras.

Facial Recognition in Government Agencies

Government agencies aren't the only ones building and using facial recognition technology. Amazon, for instance, has developed a real-time technology called "Recognition with Kay," which is actively being sold to law enforcement agencies as of now. The technology's primary goal is to help solve crimes, but some might find the term "long face of the law" ominous.

On the other hand, researchers from Oxford and Japan's Kyodo University have developed a facial recognition system that works for humans and chimps alike. This system accurately identified chimpanzees 84% of the time and took as little as 30 seconds to do so. Such technology could make researching animals in their natural habitats much easier, as it would eliminate the need for manual tagging or relying on error-prone human identification.

Facial Recognition in Everyday Life

Upscale schools are now implementing facial recognition in place of traditional roll call systems. This allows teachers to spend more time teaching students rather than dealing with administrative tasks like taking attendance. Facebook, with its vast collection of over 100 billion photos, also uses facial recognition technology to automatically tag people in your photos. You can request that this feature be turned off if you're uncomfortable with it.

Facial Recognition in Public Restrooms

In China, the government has installed facial recognition scanners in public restrooms to prevent toilet paper theft. The system works by having users scan their face before dispensing toilet paper, which is then dispensed based on the user's size. If the same person tries to use the dispenser again within nine minutes, they'll only receive a limited amount of toilet paper.

Advertising and Facial Recognition

Some advertisers are now using facial recognition technology to display targeted ads to people. The focus is less on identifying individual users but rather recognizing broad strokes such as age, gender, and even emotions. This allows for more personalized advertising experiences.

The Future of Facial Recognition

While some might find facial recognition technology reassuring, others have concerns about its impact on privacy. With the potential to prevent future terrorist attacks, does this technology outweigh the risks? The answer is unclear. As we move forward, it's essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of facial recognition and consider how it will shape our lives in the years to come.

The Concerns of Facial Recognition

There are several concerns associated with facial recognition technology. Despite advances in accuracy, there's still a risk of errors and bias, particularly when it comes to people of color. The dangers of algorithmic bias have been flagged by many concerned voices, highlighting the need for more nuanced discussions about this technology.

Facial Recognition: A Double-Edged Sword

Facial recognition is both a game-changer and a cause for concern. On one hand, it has the potential to revolutionize various fields, such as law enforcement, education, and advertising. On the other hand, it raises important questions about privacy, bias, and surveillance. As we navigate this complex landscape, it's crucial to approach facial recognition with caution and consideration.

In conclusion, facial recognition technology is a rapidly evolving field that promises both convenience and security. However, its impact on our lives must be carefully evaluated, taking into account the benefits and drawbacks of this powerful tool.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhave you ever wanted to run an errand without seeing anyone you know well thanks to facial recognition that's getting more and more difficult we live in a world where surveillance cameras and software can identify you hundreds of times per day while you go about your business in public but why is this technology so prevalent it was allegedly created to make our lives safer but does it actually do that for better or for worse facial recognition is changing life as we know it you're watching the DS a show where we demystify the technologies that are shaping the future I'm your host Riley Wynn before we get into how facial recognition technology is used let's talk about why it was created in the first place the first functional facial recognition system was created by woody Bledsoe Helen Chan Wolfe and Charles Bisson and can actually be traced back to the 1960s but the technology didn't really take off until after September 11 2001 after the attacks that day security agencies and law enforcement identified facial recognition tech as a tool that could have prevented thousands of deaths that day now facial recognition tech is everywhere from airports to traffic cameras and it doesn't stop there government agencies aren't the only ones building and using facial recognition Amazon has developed a real-time technology called recognition with the Kay and is actively selling that software to law enforcement as of right now the technology is not being used for investigative purposes but the goal is for it to eventually help solve crimes if the long face of the law scares you don't worry facial recognition is being used for good as well researchers from Oxford and Japan's Kyodo University have developed a facial recognition system that works for humans and chimps too it accurately identified chimpanzees eighty four percent of the time and as quick as in 30 seconds so rather than having to manually tag animals or rely on error-prone human identification these tools could make researching animals in their natural habitat much easier bueller bueller bueller remember spending the first few minutes of class taking attendance well upscale schools are implementing facial recognition in place of roll call this gives teachers more time to teach their students instead of dealing with administrative tasks Facebook has hundreds of billions of photos on its platform and the social media giant uses facial recognition to automatically tag people in your photos you may be thinking what's the suck I don't want people know I was hanging out with mark last Saturday fortunately you can request that this feature be turned off does the idea of a camera in the bathroom freak you out toilet paper theft is such an issue in public restrooms in China that the government has installed facial recognition scanners to prevent bathroom bandits here's how it works the user scans their face in order to dispense the TP but they only get sixty centimeters which depending on how big you are is pretty much from your elbow to the tip of your fingers the dispenser will deny the same person any extra squares if they try again within nine minutes China can't spare a square remember the movie Minority Report where video billboards could change depending on who was looking at them in 2002 that was just science fiction but now it's real-life a number of advertisers are using this technology to display targeted ads to people and taxis the focus is less on identifying individuals and more on recognizing broad strokes such as age gender and even moved but these advertising boards can present different ads depending on who is viewing them at any particular time Terminal one in Shanghai International Airport uses facial recognition for what's basically their version of TSA PreCheck in 12 seconds a traveler can scan their ID card and use the security checking machines equipped with facial recognition tech to complete the process can you imagine being able to get through airport security in just 12 seconds it'd be a game-changer for travel as we know it not all uses of facial recognition or received well the city of San Francisco has banned the use of the technology by any city agencies including the police department in the UK is having its first court cases about the issue there are a few problems with government agencies using this technology the first is the question of accuracy despite advances in facial recognition technology there's still concern about errors and bias the dangers of algorithmic bias have been flagged by many concerned voices and facial recognition is one more area where this risk of bias has been proven problematic specifically when it comes to people of color facial recognition is controversial there's no getting around it out of all the biometric technologies available none carry the same baggages automated facial recognition so will a number of positive use cases be enough to offset people's concerns about this mass surveillance technology will the possibility of preventing another 9/11 style terrorist attack away people's privacy concerns loft a watch and wait and in the meantime expect to be watched wherever you go does this freak you out or does it make you feel safe let us know in the comments below until next time i'm riley Wynn with Digital Trends and thanks for watchinghave you ever wanted to run an errand without seeing anyone you know well thanks to facial recognition that's getting more and more difficult we live in a world where surveillance cameras and software can identify you hundreds of times per day while you go about your business in public but why is this technology so prevalent it was allegedly created to make our lives safer but does it actually do that for better or for worse facial recognition is changing life as we know it you're watching the DS a show where we demystify the technologies that are shaping the future I'm your host Riley Wynn before we get into how facial recognition technology is used let's talk about why it was created in the first place the first functional facial recognition system was created by woody Bledsoe Helen Chan Wolfe and Charles Bisson and can actually be traced back to the 1960s but the technology didn't really take off until after September 11 2001 after the attacks that day security agencies and law enforcement identified facial recognition tech as a tool that could have prevented thousands of deaths that day now facial recognition tech is everywhere from airports to traffic cameras and it doesn't stop there government agencies aren't the only ones building and using facial recognition Amazon has developed a real-time technology called recognition with the Kay and is actively selling that software to law enforcement as of right now the technology is not being used for investigative purposes but the goal is for it to eventually help solve crimes if the long face of the law scares you don't worry facial recognition is being used for good as well researchers from Oxford and Japan's Kyodo University have developed a facial recognition system that works for humans and chimps too it accurately identified chimpanzees eighty four percent of the time and as quick as in 30 seconds so rather than having to manually tag animals or rely on error-prone human identification these tools could make researching animals in their natural habitat much easier bueller bueller bueller remember spending the first few minutes of class taking attendance well upscale schools are implementing facial recognition in place of roll call this gives teachers more time to teach their students instead of dealing with administrative tasks Facebook has hundreds of billions of photos on its platform and the social media giant uses facial recognition to automatically tag people in your photos you may be thinking what's the suck I don't want people know I was hanging out with mark last Saturday fortunately you can request that this feature be turned off does the idea of a camera in the bathroom freak you out toilet paper theft is such an issue in public restrooms in China that the government has installed facial recognition scanners to prevent bathroom bandits here's how it works the user scans their face in order to dispense the TP but they only get sixty centimeters which depending on how big you are is pretty much from your elbow to the tip of your fingers the dispenser will deny the same person any extra squares if they try again within nine minutes China can't spare a square remember the movie Minority Report where video billboards could change depending on who was looking at them in 2002 that was just science fiction but now it's real-life a number of advertisers are using this technology to display targeted ads to people and taxis the focus is less on identifying individuals and more on recognizing broad strokes such as age gender and even moved but these advertising boards can present different ads depending on who is viewing them at any particular time Terminal one in Shanghai International Airport uses facial recognition for what's basically their version of TSA PreCheck in 12 seconds a traveler can scan their ID card and use the security checking machines equipped with facial recognition tech to complete the process can you imagine being able to get through airport security in just 12 seconds it'd be a game-changer for travel as we know it not all uses of facial recognition or received well the city of San Francisco has banned the use of the technology by any city agencies including the police department in the UK is having its first court cases about the issue there are a few problems with government agencies using this technology the first is the question of accuracy despite advances in facial recognition technology there's still concern about errors and bias the dangers of algorithmic bias have been flagged by many concerned voices and facial recognition is one more area where this risk of bias has been proven problematic specifically when it comes to people of color facial recognition is controversial there's no getting around it out of all the biometric technologies available none carry the same baggages automated facial recognition so will a number of positive use cases be enough to offset people's concerns about this mass surveillance technology will the possibility of preventing another 9/11 style terrorist attack away people's privacy concerns loft a watch and wait and in the meantime expect to be watched wherever you go does this freak you out or does it make you feel safe let us know in the comments below until next time i'm riley Wynn with Digital Trends and thanks for watching\n"