News

Face-Reading AI Will Tell Police When Suspects Are Hiding Truth

American psychologist Paul Ekman’s research on facial expressions spawned a whole new career of human lie detectors more than four decades ago. Artificial intelligence could soon take their jobs.

While the U.S. has pioneered the use of automated technologies to reveal the hidden emotions and reactions of suspects, the technique is still nascent and a whole flock of entrepreneurial ventures are working to make it more efficient and less prone to false signals.

Facesoft, a U.K. start-up, says it has built a database of 300 million images of faces, some of which have been created by an AI system modeled on the human brain, The Times reported. The system built by the company can identify emotions like anger, fear and surprise based on micro-expressions which are often invisible to the casual observer.


“If someone smiles insincerely, their mouth may smile, but the smile doesn’t reach their eyes — micro-expressions are more subtle than that and quicker,” co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Allan Ponniah, who’s also a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in London, told the newspaper.

Facesoft has approached police in Mumbai about using the system for monitoring crowds to detect the evolving mob dynamics, Ponniah said. It has also touted its product to police forces in the U.K.


Nation’s largest teachers union under fire as controversial agenda puts century-old federal charter at risk
DeSantis endorses Florida GOP slate including Byron Donalds in governor’s race
Ohio Supreme Court denies Mackenzie Shirilla’s latest appeal bid in double murder case
Haitian college student in Ohio dies by apparent suicide after losing TPS status, family says
Hasan Piker cheerleads progressives as 80-year-old senator wins six more years
Progressive push hits wall against conservative Democrat in deep-blue district
Washington homeowner hears mysterious banging, calls 911 before police find growling bobcat at top of stairs
One of Congress’ most powerful Democrats just survived a progressive primary revolt
Biden-Harris favorite gets second shot at Congress, beats Squad-backed candidate
Breaking: Intimidation Arrest Made Outside Courthouse of Lindsay Clancy Trial Setting Stage for Potential Mistrial
Tyler Robinson to face trial in Charlie Kirk assassination as judge keeps death penalty on table
Top Democrat survives double-barreled challenge as party’s Israel divide hits home
Colin Kaepernick Reemerges and Tries to Cash in on Playing the Victim
House Democrat survives left-flank challenge as Bernie volunteer mounts insurgent bid
Florida Orders Removal of Flock Cameras from All State Highways

The use of AI algorithms among police has stirred controversy recently. A research group whose members include Facebook Inc., Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc published a report in April stating that current algorithms aimed at helping police determine who should be granted bail, parole or probation, and which help judges make sentencing decisions, are potentially biased, opaque, and may not even work.

See also  Former president-turned-amateur artist George W. Bush debuting new paintings for 9/11 remembrance

The Partnership on AI found that such systems are already in widespread use in the U.S. and were gaining a foothold in other countries too. It said it opposes any use of these systems.

Story cited here.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter