A national video monitoring system has been launched in two cities of Kazakhstan. As explained by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this "innovative project" was jointly developed by employees of the Ministry, the National Security Committee, and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the new video monitoring system, utilizing artificial intelligence technologies, allows for the identification of wanted individuals, alerts about abandoned items in public spaces, and the automatic recording of offenses. Additionally, "computer vision" enables the identification of vehicles based on their make, model, and color.
The agency states that railway stations, airports, hotels, streets, intersections, and shopping centers are under the close watch of "smart" cameras.
"Digital 'guards' have already demonstrated their effectiveness. During the World Nomad Games in Astana, it was possible to quickly locate lost children in the crowd, as well as individuals who were reported missing. With the help of video analytics, 46 wanted offenders were promptly identified and apprehended in Astana. Similar operations are underway in Almaty, where 30 such individuals have been identified and detained to date," the Ministry provided as examples.
The agency is confident that such technologies represent a "new step towards the creation of smart cities, which will enhance public safety and reduce crime."
"Similar systems are actively used in China, Russia, and European countries. Kazakhstan is confidently becoming part of this global trend by adapting best practices. In the future, there are plans to expand video monitoring by increasing the number of cameras. This will occur in phases," the Ministry stated.
According to the agency, there are currently 1,359,000 video cameras in the country, regardless of ownership, of which 310,000 are connected to the Centralized Operational Unit and police duty stations.