On the eve of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, the city has transformed into a fortress of security. Viewed as a city shrouded in a security network, Paris is now divided into sectors with forty thousand barriers. Police groups in protective gear patrol the picturesque streets, while access to the Seine River is restricted to only those with a personal QR code. Soldiers in protective uniforms stand guard near local businesses armed with heavy weaponry.
France’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Gerald Darmanen, has defended these strict measures as a necessary vigilance rather than an overreaction. Darmanen has stated that France is facing an unprecedented security challenge unlike any seen in peacetime, identifying potentially dangerous individuals, including radical Islamists and members of extreme political groups, among those seeking to work or volunteer at the Olympics.
Despite the intent to increase security, not all Parisians are pleased with the road closures and disrupted bike paths. Human rights activists have also criticized the measures, citing concerns about the infringement on citizens’ rights. However, such complaints are not uncommon for the Olympics, as past games in London, Tokyo, and Rio also implemented heightened security measures.
Of particular controversy this time are the new AI-powered security measures being implemented in Paris. This includes an AI system that analyzes video footage from surveillance cameras at transportation hubs, a technology first trialed at Depeche Mode concerts earlier this year. The use of AI for surveillance has raised concerns among critics and supporters alike, with some fearing the expansion of police surveillance capabilities beyond human capacity.
At the Porto de Panthen metro station, discreet CCTV cameras are now in place to analyze video footage as part of an experimental program running until 2025.