The Infrastructures of Security: Technologies of Risk Management in Johannesburg

The South African government has increasingly relied on technology to combat crime, including video cameras, Artificial Intelligence, machine-learning, and automated systems, which has led to segregation in public spaces. Martin J. Murray's book "The Infrastructures of Security" explores the turn toward technological solutions to managing the risk of crime through digital surveillance and automated information systems, as well as the introduction of bizarre and fly-by-night experimental "answers" to perceived risk and danger. Digitalized surveillance enables monitoring to take place across wide geographical distances with little time delay and allows for the active sorting, identification, and tracking of bodies, behaviors, and characteristics of subject populations on a continuous, real-time basis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 478 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

The widespread use of video cameras, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automated systems in Johannesburg has been a response to crime, effectively replacing human watchers with machine watchers. This has led to the determination of who is and isn't allowed to be in public spaces, essentially continuing segregation.

In his book, The Infrastructures of Security, author Martin J. Murray explores the turn towards technological solutions to managing the risk of crime through digital surveillance and automated information systems. He also highlights the introduction of bizarre and experimental "answers" to perceived risk and danger. Digitalized surveillance is significant because it enables monitoring to take place across wide geographical distances with little time delay, and allows for the active sorting, identification, and tracking of bodies, behaviors, and characteristics of subject populations on a continuous, real-time basis. These new software-based surveillance technologies represent monitoring, tracking, and information gathering without walls, towers, or guards.

The use of video cameras, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automated systems in Johannesburg has raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the potential for discrimination. While these technologies can provide valuable information for law enforcement and security agencies, they also have the potential to be used to target specific groups of people based on their race, ethnicity, or religion. This has led to calls for greater regulation and oversight of these technologies to ensure that they are used in a fair and equitable manner.

In conclusion, the widespread use of video cameras, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automated systems in Johannesburg has been a response to crime, effectively replacing human watchers with machine watchers. While these technologies can provide valuable information for law enforcement and security agencies, they also have the potential to be used to target specific groups of people based on their race, ethnicity, or religion. Greater regulation and oversight of these technologies are necessary to ensure that they are used in a fair and equitable manner.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472055470