UK installs AI facial scanning technology at residence halls

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The University of Kentucky is installing artificial intelligence facial scanning technology on several campus buildings.

The technology, called Rock, is made by Alcatraz AI. It allows students to gain entry to some buildings by having their face scanned instead of using a key card.

How the technology works

Alcatraz AI CEO Tina D’Agostin said the badge technology most campuses use today is 30 years old.

“The badge, what most campuses are using today is a 30-year-old technology. Its only knows that someone brought a card to the door and that’s where it stops,” D’Agostin said.

D’Agostin said the black box installed outside doors creates a digital map of a person’s face, similar to Apple Face ID. She said images of faces are not stored, only the mathematical layout of them.

“We don’t have any names or personal identifiers, other than the facial biometric profile that we take, which again, is nothing more than a mathematical equation. You’re zeros and ones to us once you’ve been scanned,” D’Agostin said.

University’s response

In a statement to WKYT, the University of Kentucky said security technologies like these are part of UK’s broader commitment to campus safety. The university said the technology is optional and that many students have enrolled to use it.

D’Agostin said the technology helps prevent tailgating, which is when an unauthorized person gains access inside a building by following closely behind someone who scans their way in.

“Many times when bad actors have entered dorms when there was an active shooter or whether it was to physically assault a female, they actually entered by tailgating, and so many campuses have sought us to provide that intelligence at the door, to empower their security teams to help detect when this incident occurs so they can react to it in real time,” D’Agostin said.

Student reactions

Three of the four students interviewed on campus said they had no idea the technology was being installed. Reactions were mixed.

“I like it just because safety is the number one priority for the college, they want to keep all their students safe,” said student Jacob Petz.

“Me personally, I’m not a huge fan of all of the face scanning,” said student Elizabeth Foster.

“I just know AI is kind of controversial topic and people are against it, so that can also spark some controversy,” said student Kate Pool.

Each of the students interviewed said the technology is not a shock.

“Our society is moving towards a technology society, so I think our campus should be moving where society is going,” Petz said.

“At this point, I feel like its unavoidable, given the times,” Foster added.

Test trial details

The technology is in a two-week test trial. Scanners are being installed at Woodland Glen IV and Kirwan-Blanding halls. UK says the technology is also used at research labs on campus.