The impact of AI on contactless biometric systems is multifaceted and cannot be over emphasised. Here are some positive and negative effects to consider:
Positive Effects
1. *Enhanced Security*: AI-powered biometric systems can more accurately verify identities, reducing the risk of fraud and impersonation.
2. Increased Efficiency: Automated biometric authentication can speed up processes like passport control, reducing waiting time and improving overall efficiency.
3. Convenience: Contactless biometric systems can provide a seamless and convenient experience for users, eliminating the need for physical documents or manual verification.
4. Improved Accuracy : AI-driven biometric systems can reduce errors and inaccuracies associated with manual verification methods.
Negative Effects
1. Data Privacy Concerns: The use of biometric data raises concerns about data protection, storage, and potential misuse.
2. Bias and Discrimination : AI-powered biometric systems can perpetuate existing biases and discriminate against certain groups, such as people of color or those with disabilities and physically challenged.
3. Security Risks : Biometric data can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, compromising the security of individuals and organizations.
4. Dependence on Technology: Over-reliance on AI-powered biometric systems can lead to technical failures, errors, and potential disruptions.
5. The need for a guarantor is a vital security component in the process of passport acquisition, an individual that will authenticate the claims by an applicant and to be held responsible for any abuse ,breach or misinformation on the side of passport holder.
Prioritising Convenience and Security
Convenience and security are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary aspects of a well-designed system. Ideally, passport operations should strive to balance convenience with security, ensuring that the benefits of biometric technology are realized while minimizing potential risks.
Scale of Priorities
1. Security : Ensuring the integrity and authenticity of biometric data and preventing unauthorized access.
2. Convenience : Providing a seamless and efficient experience for users while maintaining security standards.
3. Data Protection: Implementing robust data protection measures to safeguard biometric data and prevent misuse.
4. Transparency and Accountability : Ensuring that biometric systems are transparent, explainable, and accountable for any errors or biases.
5.For ease, security and avoidance of wastage of public funds,there is no need for centralization of the Passport administration and Processing,for the risk of loss on transit,wasting existing infrastructures in the 36 state Commands passport offices and production centres around the country where capturing, enrollment and production machines were installed,valuing the cost of funds released for those systems to be assembled and installed,disrupting manpower,and disruption of a long existing functional system,we don’t need to throw away the baby with dirty bath water.
By carefully considering these factors, passport operations can harness the benefits of AI-powered biometric systems while maintaining the highest standards of security, convenience, and data protection. In addition to both positive and negative consequences of AI driven technology in this digital era our additional concerns should be finding ways to address welfare of the operatives otherwise the innovations and digitalisation will remain a mirage and fallacy. The welfare should include training and retraining, reward systems and need for defined schedule leading to expertise, skill acquisition and retention of highly skilled operatives, professionalisation of the passport system where officers deployed are specially trained by advanced systems on production and processing facilities to reduce third party by way of technology transfer,redefining the operational capabilities and activities of the unit to accommodate specially trained personnel only and no other as the services are unique and each person having access code to the Centre and the system to reduce trespassing and unauthorized persons accessing the unit and the operation.
The unit can self investigate and refer cases where necessary to the appropriate quarters for address, reducing delay and making monitoring easy, there should be time lines for every process and stage for effectiveness and efficiency and excellent service delivery.
Researched by Bin Umar and James Sunday, both Assistant Comptroller General (Rtd) and Data Mining and Geospatial Intelligence Certified.
About The Author
