Argentina has recently launched an artificial intelligence (AI) unit within its Ministry of Security, tasked with the ambitious goal of “predicting and preventing future crimes.” The initiative has drawn comparisons to Steven Spielberg’s film Minority Report, where a futuristic police unit arrests individuals before they commit any crimes. This announcement has triggered significant concerns about state surveillance, the social biases often embedded in AI technologies, and the tendency to overestimate the capabilities of these emerging technologies amidst the rush for innovation.
A BOLD NEW INITIATIVE
The AI unit was established by a resolution signed by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich. The unit plans to use AI to monitor internet usage such as the dark web, social media, and other apps, as well as footage from security cameras. By analysing historical crime data, the ministry claims the AI system will “predict future crimes and help prevent them.” Surveillance drones will also be deployed to capture images that will be analysed by the AI.
Federico Pierri, Head of Cybercrime at the ministry, has been appointed to lead this new unit. However, ministry officials have not disclosed which software will be used or the exact data sources that will be analysed, raising further questions about the transparency and effectiveness of this initiative.
CONCERNS AND CRITICISM
Beatriz Busaniche, director of the Digital Rights Advocacy Foundation Vía Libre, expressed doubts about the project, suggesting it reflects a broader trend of reckless AI usage. She states “There are a lot of different technologies that are all packaged under the label of AI” and dismisses the project as mere “smoke and mirrors.”
Busaniche also warned of the dangers of cybersurveillance, which she sees as a form of illegal monitoring, given that intelligence activities on citizens without a warrant are unlawful in Argentina. AI has already shown weaknesses in identifying individuals at risk, often replicating the implicit discriminatory biases of the society that created it. For example, a risk assessment tool used in the United States to determine parole eligibility was found to be biased against African-Americans.
The potential misuse of such technology is also a concern, as alleged by some human rights advocacy groups against the Israeli military’s use of an AI program used to identify combatants in Gaza for targeted strikes and has been criticized for its potential to also misidentify and target Palestinian civilians.
Matías Gringberg, an AI engineer of HUMAI, a non-governmental organisation, which advocates for the ethical use of AI, expressed concerns about political biases potentially influencing an AI-based security system. There was a recent incident where Javier Milei’s government accused protesters of attempting a coup, highlighting the risks of such technology being misused for political use. Gringberg stressed that deploying this technology without a cross-organisational ethics committee which oversees “every action and development” would be unacceptable.
Data protection has also been another major concern, particularly in light of repeated hacks on the country’s government agencies. In 2021, the National Registry of Persons was breached, leading to the leak of national ID numbers for all Argentinians. Gringberg warns that widespread use of facial recognition could expose even more sensitive data.
THE DEBATE OVER FACIAL RECOGNITION
Buenos Aires has already experimented with facial recognition technology, implementing a system in 2019 under President Mauricio Macri. This system was suspended in 2022 by a judge after it was used to conduct over 9 million biometric searches, far exceeding the 40,000 criminals targeted by authorities. Among those targeted by these searches was then-President Alberto Fernández and Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. While this technology could potentially create an extensive surveillance network, its effectiveness in actually preventing crimes remains uncertain. Gringberg noted, “It would be a great sacrifice of human rights to, if they’re very lucky, perhaps identify or prevent a crime”.
AI REGULATION: A HEATED DEBATE
Bullrich’s announcement about the AI unit’s launch came just a week before a lower house commission was set to discuss several bills aimed at regulating AI.
Demian Reidel, chief advisor to President Milei, reiterated his ambition to make Argentina an “AI hub” while dismissing calls to regulate the technology. While on the Club de Inversores streaming channel, Reidel emphasized his position on the regulations stating “We must be very careful not to start adopting stupid regulations that would harm [investment prospects]”.
Argentina’s approach to AI, while undoubtedly ambitious, raises critical questions about protecting citizens’ rights and balancing security with individual freedoms. The ongoing debate highlights the critical need for transparent, ethical, and responsible deployment of AI technologies to ensure they serve the public interest without compromising fundamental rights. This approach mirrors the European Union’s AI Act, adopted on May 21st, 2024, and enacted on August 1st of that year, which sets a framework for regulating AI in a way that balances innovation with the protection of citizens’ rights.
Emma Wack Wendling
Master 2 Cyberjustice – Promotion 2023/2024
Sources :
- BOLETIN OFICIAL REPUBLICA ARGENTINA – MINISTERIO DE SEGURIDAD – Resolución 710/2024
- Crean la Unidad de Inteligencia Artificial Aplicada a la Seguridad
- Argentina goes Minority Report with new AI security unit – Buenos Aires Herald
- Argentina will use AI to ‘predict future crimes’ but experts worry for citizens’ rights
- Argentina’s plan to fight crime with AI draws concerns from rights groups | Biometric Update
