Researchers from the University of Portsmouth are working on technology that could allow the CCTV cameras around Britain to be able to hear crime as well as see it. The researchers say that AI software could be use to position the cameras to point at crime scenes by listening for the sound of breaking glass or crowd noises.

The cameras would be able to rotate and focus on the relevant areas in only 300 ms. The project could help increase the number of crimes caught on tape but the tech will undoubtedly lead to debate on Britain becoming a “Big Brother” state.

"The longer artificial intelligence is in the software the more it learns," said Brown, although he insisted the project is not designed to eavesdrop on conversations. "We are only listening for specific words associated with violence, not full conversations."

Via PC Advisor