Clearview AI, a controversial American company specializing in facial recognition technologies, recently signed a contract with the US Air Force. Known for feeding its identification algorithms using photos gleaned (more or less legally) from the web and social networks, the firm will work with the US Air Force on a facial recognition glasses project in augmented reality, dedicated to the protection of air bases, explains Vice based on snippets of information contained in public documents. More specifically, Clearview’s research will have to estimate the feasibility of this type of product.
Anyway, this contract (which is not the first signed between Clearview AI and the US Air Force) demonstrates that Clearview continues to establish itself in new markets while establishing itself more deeply across the Atlantic. , especially in institutions. Until now, Clearview AI had mainly provided its facial identification solutions to police, customs and security services.
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A contract for a relatively modest amount… for now?
As indicated by Vice, the amount of this new contract, signed last November, remains modest: 49,847 dollars at present. It is unknown at this stage whether it will lead to further agreements between the US Air Force and Clearview AI. We know, however, that the US Army has been interested in augmented reality for some time now. This is what led it to enter into a partnership with Microsoft beforehand to develop military applications based on HoloLens technology. It is therefore possible that other agreements with Clearview AI will be signed.
Clearview AI has expanded into Augmented Reality.
The company has a newly public contract with the US Air Force for “protecting airfields with augmented reality facial recognition glasses”.https://t.co/zDYfGxtmym pic.twitter.com/4ZjmGynpmN
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“We value the United States Air Force and its position in defending the nation’s security and interests. We continually research and develop new technologies, processes and platforms to meet current and future security challenges. We welcome any opportunity that would allow us to collaborate with the Air Force in this area.“, commented Hoan Ton-That, CEO of Clearview AI contacted by Motherboard. “This technology in particular is still in R&D, with the end goal being to leverage emerging capabilities to improve overall security.“, he continued about the AR glasses that his group will have to work on.
More important perhaps, the interested party ensures that this technology will not be based on the data specific to Clearview AI, and whose source is controversial. However, no additional details have been provided on the nature of the data used. Contacted by Vice, the US Air Force declined to comment.