Saturday, 25 March 2023 04:16

New mobile app can detect alcohol, cannabis impairment in 30 seconds using facial recognition

Rate this item
(0 votes)

The latest in a rapid trend towards AI-powered tools, Predictmedix has announced the production of a mobile app that can detect alcohol and cannabis impairment using speech recognition and “multi-spectral imaging.”

AI-powered facial recognition is coming to the world of breathalyzers. Though the technology is still ill-defined, there are some causes for concern.

If that mishmash of convoluted buzzwords sounds concerning, then you’re not alone.

The new algorithm, which is being designed primarily for law enforcement and healthcare providers, can allegedly identify impaired individuals in under 30 seconds with an over 90% success rate. That’s leaps and bounds better than the leading cannabis breathalyzers and significantly better than the average alcohol breathalyzer.

Predictmedix previously designed an AI-powered detection tool for Covid-19 screening. (Photo: Predictmedix)

The speech recognition aspect of the app is not entirely new — in January, researchers at LA Trobe University invented a similar program called ADLAIA that can determine an individual’s intoxication level based only on a 12-second recording of their voice.

The facial recognition aspect is, however, truly unprecedented. It’s also not very well explained.

In their press release, Predictmedix gave only this explanation of the technology behind their program:

The critical element, multi-spectral imaging, is a form of heat-detecting infrared camera mostly used for military target tracking.

From what we can deduce, the algorithm identifies visible signs of intoxication (behaviors like eye drift) and combines that information with heat-sensitive imaging that can somehow deduce inebriation.

Predictmedix’s product is one of many facial recognition algorithms to hit the market over the past few years. Though many are designed for law enforcement, an increasing number are being applied with the intent of alcohol moderation.

The UK Home Office is currently trialing a program in supermarkets called Yoti, which uses facial recognition to detect customers’ ages when purchasing alcohol.

Though it has a high accuracy rate, the program routinely demonstrates higher margins of error for females over males and for darker skin tones over lighter ones, errors consistent with the biases frequently found within these technologies.

And that doesn’t even account for the litany of privacy concerns currently being voiced about the rise of facial recognition.

All of this is to say, the future of AI-powered technology can feel intimidating. Many of its faults and benefits have yet to be proven even as it’s wheeled out into the field for day-to-day use.

Until Predictmedix’s program makes its way to market, we’ll just have to wait and see what the implications might be.

 

Tequila Raiders

February 11, 2025

Dangote Refinery nears full capacity milestone

Africa's largest oil refinery is set to achieve full operational capacity within a month, according…
February 01, 2025

Tinubu targeting opposition, not corruption — Atiku

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the…
February 09, 2025

USAID: Here’s a list of the most insane things the agency spent money on

It’s been an exciting week, as Elon Musk and the DOGE have exposed the United…
February 08, 2025

Mayor loses re-election race to his personal driver’s wife

The mayor of Berezovsky shockingly lost the recent local elections to a “puppet candidate” who…
February 09, 2025

Oil theft: ‘Thieves in military uniforms will not deter thieves in civilian uniforms’, N’Delta leaders…

Former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Idada Ikponmwen (retd.), Udom Ekpoudom, Deputy…
February 11, 2025

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 494

Trump says ceasefire should be canceled if hostages aren't released by Saturday: 'Let all hell…
February 09, 2025

Elon Musk put a chip in this paralysed man’s brain. Now he can move things…

Jeney Kleeman Noland Arbaugh’s life changed in a fraction of a second in June 2016.…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.