AI Biometric technologies are becoming more popular as they are used in our day-to-day lives, such as within our smartphones, bank apps, for serving in the military, and so on. That being said, AI Biometric technology can also be seen growing in the Aviation Industry via AI Biometric technology being used for security checks prior to boarding flights.
Source: Pichler & Barth 2024
AI biometrics is a tool that analyzes and interprets biometric data using artificial intelligence. Fingerprints, voice, facial, and other biometric information are examples of biometric data. Alphonse Bertillon developed and applied the first biometrics in the 1800s, comparing convicts based on their body measurements. As the technology continued to evolve, Edward Henry then classified fingerprints, which was used to efficiently sign contracts to assist in identifying criminals (Moen, 2021). Artificial intelligence has lately been integrated with these early biometrics to carry out more intricate tasks and in-depth assessments.
Advantages of Biometrics in the Aviation Industry
The aviation industry is undergoing a tech-driven transformation, with AI-powered biometrics revolutionizing airports by making travel faster, safer, and less stressful. Long lines at security are becoming a thing of the past. Facial recognition and other biometric technologies streamline identity verification, reducing wait times and enhancing security (Connected Aviation Today, 2022). From check-in to boarding, automation accelerates processes, allowing passengers to relax while enabling airports to handle growing demand without costly expansions (IATA, 2018). Post-pandemic, and contactless biometrics are a game-changer, replacing passports and boarding passes with quick, contactless scans that are faster, safer, and more hygienic (Connected Aviation Today, 2022). Airports also save money by reducing manual checks, optimizing resources, and cutting labor costs (Airports Council International, 2024). AI biometrics aren’t just a trend; they’re shaping the future of aviation, creating a seamless balance between security, efficiency, and convenience for travellers and airports alike (Symphony Solutions, n.d.).
Disadvantages of Biometrics in the Aviation Industry
A 2018 study by the US Department of Homeland Security reports that passengers under 29 and over 70 would receive false rejects from the biometrics. These rejects are due to time and age differences from the day the picture was taken and stored on the database, to the day of travel (Khan & Efthymiou, 2021), which can result in security delays while boarding. Another issue is management will face is staff allocation. In the US, this will require Customs and Border Patrol management to hire more employees or have their current officers oversee biometric processing for departing passengers, meaning there won't be officers available for other enforcement activities (Khan & Efthymiou, 2021). Finally, a concern on the side of passengers would be data concerns as biometric information is sensitive data that cannot be reset if breached (Hiremath, n.d.), leaving private information leaked for a lifetime.
Biometrics in Airlines
Many companies such as American Airlines and Lufthansa (German Airline) have developed biometric technology for their day-to-day operations. For example, one very common biometric system found in both airports is the One-step Facial Recognition Program. Through this process, a flyer's identity is able to be verified through the recognition program which compares information from Automated Border Control technologies. Automated Border control technologies identify the flyer's passport photo, then quickly compares it to the captured photo from the Facial Recognition Program, that is done quickly and efficiently. These systems allow for the airport experience to be enhanced as customers can go through security quickly and accurately (American Airlines, 2019).
Source: Collins Aerospace, 2021
Biometrics in Aerospace Systems/Service Companies
Not only have airports begun implementing biometrics, but Collins Aerospace, a company that both delivers and designs aerospace services for various consumers, have been one of many companies that provide biometric technologies to airports. There has been an occasion where "30 biometric enrolment kiosks, 104 biometric devices for Self-Bag Drop, 17 biometric Automated Security Gates and 42 biometric Automated Self-Boarding Gates" in Haneda Airport (Collins Aerospace, 2021).
The application of biometric technologies has allowed aviation companies to use Management Information Systems to achieve their goals and objectives, including efficient passenger verification, identification of late passengers or emergencies, and appropriate procedures.
Biometrics in Finance and Healthcare Industry
AI-based biometric technology has also been persistent in the finance and healthcare industry. In 2022, Mastercard unleashed a new payment method, the Biometric Checkout Program. This program allows users to authenticate online payments by verifying their identity through selfies. Participants enrolled in this program can simply check the bill, smile into a camera, or wave their hand over a reader to complete the payment (Mastercard, 2022).
Moreover, AI-based biometric scanners control access to protected substances and high-risk workflows, such as electronic prescribing for controlled substances. Using biometric security systems to validate patient identities can prevent data breaches and identity theft while still providing the convenience of at-home or on-the-go healthcare services (Wheeler, 2023).
What does its Future Look Like?
With time, manual security checks will be phased out and replaced with biometrics due to their efficiency in terms of cost and operations. The main concern for the future of this tech is privacy. IDEMIA is a company that is taking great steps within this sector as the company ensures passengers’ personal data won't be retained (Reed, 2023). Along with IDEMIA's approach, it is important to inform passengers of how the biometrics technology works as this educates the public on how the technology works and allows them to feel safer knowing their data is not at risk and the company will make sure it stays that way. Altogether this approach will enable AI biometrics to seamlessly embed into the industry in the future.
References
American Airlines. (2019, August 27). Biometric Boarding Arrives at DFW for American Airlines Customers. American Airlines Newsroom. https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2019/Biometric-Boarding-Arrives-at-DFW-for-American-Airlines-Customers/default.aspx
Bisher, Ahmad. (2024, October). BUS 237 Week 5: Database and Content Management [Lecture Slides]. Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University.
Centre for Aviation. ( 2024, February 20). Beyond the boarding pass: Is now the moment for rapid and widespread adoption of AI in aviation? Centre for Aviation. https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/beyond-the-boarding-pass-is-now-the-moment-for-rapid-and-widespread-adoption-of-ai-in-aviation-675963.
Collins Aerospace. (2021, July 19). Collins Aerospace deploys biometrics solution at Tokyo Haneda Airport. Collins Aerospace. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://www.collinsaerospace.com/news/news/2021/07/collins-deploys-biometrics-solution-tokyo-haneda-airport
Connected Aviation Today. ( 2022, February 11). Three ways biometrics in aviation are shaping the future of travel. Connected Aviation Today. https://connectedaviationtoday.com/three-ways-biometrics-aviation-shaping-future-travel/
DHS. (2018, September 19). OIG-18-80 - Progress made, but CBP faces challenges ... Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2018-09/OIG-18-80-Sep18.pdf.
Hiremath, O. (n.d.). Risks & benefits of biometrics in security. Blog: Comprehensive Security. https://www.softwaresecured.com/post/risks-and-benefits-of-biometrics-in-security.
International Air Transport Association. (2018, June ). Artificial intelligence (AI) in aviation: The threats, opportunities, and potential applications. IATA. https://www.iata.org/contentassets/2d997082f3c84c7cba001f506edd2c2e/ai-white-paper.pdf.
Khan, N., & Efthymiou, M. (2021). The use of biometric technology at airports: The case of customs and border protection (CBP). International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 1(2), 100049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2021.100049.
Lufthansa. (n.d.). Star Alliance Biometrics. Lufthansa. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://www.lufthansa.com/fr/en/star-alliance-biometrics
Mastercard. (2022, May 17). With a smile or a wave, paying in store just got personal. Mastercard Newsroom. https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/may/with-a-smile-or-a-wave-paying-in-store-just-got-personal/
Moen, Amanda. (2021, December 8). A brief history of biometrics. BioConnect.
https://bioconnect.com/2021/12/08/a-brief-history-of-biometrics/
https://bioconnect.com/2021/12/08/a-brief-history-of-biometrics/
Pichler, L., & Barth, U. (2024, July 5). The role of biometrics at Munich airport. International Airport Review.
https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/216403/the-role-of-biometrics-at-munich-airport/
https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/216403/the-role-of-biometrics-at-munich-airport/
Reed, J. (2023, June 13). Biometrics, privacy concerns, and the future of authentication. Avionics
International. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2023/06/13/biometrics-privacy-authentication/
International. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2023/06/13/biometrics-privacy-authentication/
Symphony Solutions. (n.d.). AI in aviation: How artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the industry. Symphony Solutions. https://symphony-solutions.com/insights/ai-in-aviation
Thales. (2023, June 12). Biometric Tech at Airports. Thales. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/government/inspired/biometric-technology-in-airports
Thales Group. (2023, March). The History of Biometric Authentication. Thales.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/government/inspired/history-of-biometric-authentication#:~:text=Biometrics%20can%20be%20traced%20back,the%20work%20of%20Alphonse%20Bertillon.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/government/inspired/history-of-biometric-authentication#:~:text=Biometrics%20can%20be%20traced%20back,the%20work%20of%20Alphonse%20Bertillon.
Vermes, J. (2024, March 3). Airports want to scan your face to make travelling easier. privacy experts caution it’s not ready for takeoff | CBC radio. CBC news. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/airport-facial-recognition-biometrics-1.7130000
Wheeler, J. (2023, October 4). How Biometric Security is Changing the Healthcare Industry. Jumio: End-To-End ID, Identity Verification and AML Solutions. https://www.jumio.com/biometric-security-in-healthcare/
No comments:
Post a Comment