The Blubber

Last week, Argentina unveiled plans to employ artificial intelligence to "predict future crimes" before they occur. This initiative, once confined to the realm of science fiction, was announced by the country’s Ministry of Security as part of a new Artificial Intelligence Unit Applied to Security.

The unit will focus on "prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of crime," and will also oversee drone surveillance, monitor social media, and utilize facial recognition to enhance security measures.

Security Minister Patricia Bullrich signed a resolution stating that this new unit would "significantly improve the efficiency of the ministry and the federal police and security forces, allowing for quicker and more accurate responses to threats and emergencies."

According to the announcement, the unit will "employ machine learning algorithms to analyze historical crime data to predict and help prevent future crimes."

The ministry referenced the United States, China, Israel, and other nations as leaders in the application of AI in security operations.

Human rights organizations have expressed concerns that these measures might infringe on freedom of expression, as individuals might self-censor their social media posts out of fear of government surveillance.

The Argentine Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information highlighted that similar technologies have previously been used to profile academics, journalists, politicians, and activists. They have called for transparency regarding the origins and specific uses of these technologies, warning that any lack of accountability would be "worrying."

President Javier Milei, elected late last year on promises to address Argentina’s soaring inflation and poverty rates while cracking down on crime, has faced criticism for his handling of protests. In June, clashes between protesters and security forces following the senate's approval of his contentious legislative reforms resulted in numerous injuries and 15 arrests.

The introduction of this new AI crime prevention plan has cast Milei's earlier visit to Silicon Valley in a new light. During his May trip, he met with several tech leaders to encourage investment in Argentina.

In 2023, a Buenos Aires court ruled that the government's use of facial recognition technology in the city was unconstitutional. The judge found that the monitoring system was implemented "without meeting the legal requirements for protecting the personal rights of Buenos Aires residents," according to local media.