France Enhances Olympic Security with AI Video Surveillance

On July 19, reports highlighted the global focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics, drawing thousands of athletes, support staff, and hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world to France. As the event nears, not only is the world watching, but artificial intelligence (AI) systems will also be on alert. The complex security risks posed by the international gathering have led authorities and critics alike to label the Olympics as "the largest security operation in the world outside of war."

To address these security challenges, the French government is collaborating with the private tech sector, citing the necessity of advanced surveillance and data collection tools. Their monitoring plan, which controversially includes experimental AI video surveillance, is so comprehensive that it has prompted amendments to existing laws to legalize the proposed surveillance activities. Under the newly expanded surveillance framework, French authorities are partnering with several AI companies to implement extensive AI-driven video monitoring.

This technology is being deployed at major events such as concerts and sports competitions, as well as at busy transit hubs like subway and train stations. Officials report that these AI surveillance trials are progressing well, with future applications already approved. The systems aim to quickly identify incidents, such as crowds surging to entrances or unattended backpacks left in crowded public areas, and alert security personnel in real-time. Such capabilities illustrate a significant application of technology.

In preparation for the Olympics, France enacted Law No. 2023-380 in 2023, establishing itself as the first EU country to legalize such a far-reaching AI surveillance system.