I Know That Face!

Mostly, I’m a fan of technology, but I admit that face recognition has me confused. The concept is fascinating at a purely technological level, but throw in intrusiveness and lack of privacy, and some of the sheen comes off.   

But let’s focus on the positives for now. Facial detection throws open interesting possibilities for academics, marketers, application vendors, security professionals, regulators, in fact anyone. (Not to forget the world’s most popular social network, which offers members a photo-tagging tool that recognizes faces from photographs!) Face detection software could, for instance, scan the people in a store to create a broad profile of the typical patron. Or it could make billboards more intelligent by enabling them to “recognize” passersby and decide which advertisement to display.   

In the banking context, face recognition technology could be just what branches need to raise their level of service. Imagine the improvement in experience if branches could identify regular customers as soon as they walk in and alert service staff immediately. Or if ATMs could authenticate users by face and take them straight into the transaction.

Of course, face recognition technology will have to surmount many regulatory/ security hurdles before it becomes mainstream. As well as contend with the opposition of those who are fiercely protective of their private space. But once it arrives, I doubt our lives will be the same.  What do you think?