Key Takeaways:
- The MTA is seeking proposals from tech companies to use artificial intelligence to patrol subway cars and buses in real-time through thousands of video feeds.
- The goal is to identify weapons, recognize unattended items, and anticipate "unusual or unsafe" behaviors using AI monitoring.
- The MTA has received an undisclosed number of responses from tech companies, which could lead to a request for proposal.
- Critics have raised concerns about flawed artificial intelligence tools resulting in wrongful arrests, data leaks, and privacy issues.
- Private companies are already using AI to bolster security, but there are concerns about the disproportionate misidentification of certain groups, including people of color, women, the young, and the elderly.
Introduction to MT-AI
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance security in subway cars and buses. According to documents, the MTA has received proposals from tech companies on how to use AI to patrol public transportation in real-time through thousands of video feeds. As reported by The City, an undisclosed number of responses were submitted to the state transit authority by its December 30 deadline. The MTA is seeking ideas on how to use AI monitoring to identify weapons, recognize unattended items, and anticipate "unusual or unsafe" behaviors, such as high-density surges and stampede risks.
The Need for Proactive Security
The MTA’s current monitoring practices are manual, reactive, and resource-intensive, with over 15,000 cameras deployed across approximately 472 subway stations. As the MTA wrote in its pitch, "With more than 15,000 cameras deployed across approximately 472 subway stations, current monitoring practices remain manual, reactive, and resource intensive." The goal is to evolve the transit infrastructure into a "proactive, intelligence-driven ecosystem," which would enable the MTA to respond quickly and effectively to potential security threats. As the MTA stated, "The goal is to evolve the transit infrastructure into a ‘proactive, intelligence-driven ecosystem’." This proactive approach would help to prevent incidents and ensure a safer travel experience for commuters.
The Role of AI in Security
The MTA is not the only organization exploring the use of AI in security. Private companies like Macy’s and Fairway Market are already using AI to bolster security. For example, Wegman’s, a grocery store chain, has been storing shoppers’ facial scans, which has raised concerns about biometric data collection. As the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) alleges, AI tools can "disproportionately misidentify people of color, women, the young, and the elderly." This highlights the need for careful consideration and regulation of AI-powered security systems to prevent wrongful arrests, data leaks, and privacy issues.
Concerns and Criticisms
The use of AI in security has not been without its critics. Major watchdog groups have raised concerns about the potential risks and biases associated with AI-powered surveillance systems. Last year, civil rights groups demanded an investigation into the NYPD’s use of facial recognition tech after a reportedly false match led to a bad arrest. As the STOP website states, "The tech disproportionately misidentifies people of color, women, the young, and the elderly." These concerns highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and regulation in the development and deployment of AI-powered security systems.
The Future of AI in Public Transportation
The MTA’s exploration of AI-powered security systems is part of a broader trend towards the use of technology to enhance public transportation. The Transit Tech Lab, a public-private initiative between the MTA and the Partnership Fund for New York City, has issued a request for "tech-driven approaches to support infrastructure management," including tools to "detect and analyze safety, compliance, and behavioral risks." As the MTA tests out new fare gates with AI sensors that can detect fare evasion, it is clear that the use of AI in public transportation is likely to become more widespread in the future. However, it is essential to address the concerns and criticisms surrounding AI-powered security systems to ensure that they are used in a way that is fair, transparent, and respectful of individuals’ rights and privacy.
https://nypost.com/2026/01/12/us-news/mta-probing-ai-to-identify-weapons-monitor-safety-threats-in-real-time/
