100 Surveillance Systems in Cuenca Now Use AI

Out of 300 municipal video surveillance systems, 100 have been upgraded with Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the remaining 200 are expected to be updated by the end of the year. The new systems feature 360-degree coverage, eliminating blind spots and providing detailed information, such as identifying incidents through personal features, vehicle plates, and other critical details.

One of the newly installed systems is located in the Cayambe neighborhood, a high-risk area, where the AI cameras are expected to help control crime. According to Pablo Cueva, director of the Citizen Security Council (CSC), an additional AI video analytics server will be acquired, and the private sector will donate another. Additionally, 80 new cameras with AI capabilities will be installed in various parts of the city, including the commercial and financial districts, by mid-2025.

Despite these advancements, there is concern over Decree 397, which transfers control of municipal surveillance cameras to the ECU-911 emergency system. The president of the Ecuadorian Association of Municipalities (AME), Patricio Maldonado, expressed worries about this decision, as the ECU-911 lacks the resources to maintain the cameras already under its responsibility.

Source: El Mercurio.