Thesis supervisor: Gilles Jeannot
Surveillance cameras have been part of our urban and even rural landscapes for several years now. However, these devices have not solved all the problems that led to their deployment in many public spaces. One of the solutions proposed to address this shortcoming of video surveillance is to add automatic detection software to the existing system. These additional components come in various forms: people counting, vehicle type detection, illegal dumping detection, abnormal situation analysis, facial recognition, etc. The first uses of these new forms of video surveillance took place in France, although they are not as widespread as in other countries.
This thesis seeks to provide initial reflections on these new surveillance tools and the context surrounding them by addressing three main aspects. The first of these aspects concerns the scientific developments that contribute to the construction of these new surveillance solutions. The second aspect focuses on the public debate surrounding automated video surveillance and the particular form that this debate takes. The third and final aspect examines the uses, most of which are experimental, that are taking place in France, as well as the objectives and conditions of these uses.
For the first aspect, this work aims to show the particular importance of infrastructure in the success of these artificial intelligence tools. Whether at the development or usage stage, artificial intelligence relies heavily on all the tools and materials mobilized in its operation. Data, networks, and sensors are all filters through which the software's work passes and which impose technical limitations. For the second aspect, the research explored the question of the presentation of these technical solutions, their promotion or criticism, as a problem, in public debates or in economic spaces. It appears that despite widespread criticism in society, economic arguments dominate in official reports. For the third aspect, while there is no consensus on the subject of automated surveillance, the thesis analyzes all the strategies and resources mobilized to build a market for automated video surveillance despite this.
Thesis defense on Thursday, March 28, 2024
Year of enrollment
: 2018
Doctoral School
: Organizations, Markets, Institutions – OMI
Composition of the jury
, ENPC, Thesis Director
Anne-Cécile DOUILLET, University of Lille, Rapporteur
Sylvain PARASIE, Sciences-Po Paris, Rapporteur
Valérie NOVEMBER
, CNRS, Examiner
Clément MABI, UTC, Examiner