AI-based access control: the pros and cons

Artificial intelligence has quickly established itself as a new game changer in our society. AI also offers many possibilities in the field of access control and security. However, it is not (yet) all sunshine and roses. In this article, we list the main advantages and disadvantages.

Few topics are generating more excitement today than artificial intelligence. The concept has been around for almost seven decades, but has gained momentum in recent years and has literally and figuratively established itself at the speed of light as ‘the new normal’. Since access control is a technology-driven discipline, AI is also rapidly advancing in this field. Traditional systems are making way for AI-based variants that add a new dimension to security, efficiency and ease of use.

Safer than ever

One of the most obvious advantages of AI in relation to access control and security is a higher level of security. Based on complex algorithms, AI systems are able to rapidly detect all kinds of patterns in the endless stream of data collected by badge readers, security cameras, biometric scanning systems, underlying software platforms, and so on. This implies that deviations or anomalies are also detected immediately. In other words, it is becoming increasingly difficult – if not virtually impossible – for unauthorised persons to gain access to certain areas or buildings. After all, an AI system is much more difficult to fool than a flesh-and-blood human being. 

Biometric identification, one of the most advanced forms of access control, will also become more efficient than ever thanks to artificial intelligence. Passwords, codes, keys, access badges and even smartphones will – in accordance with the European AI Act – increasingly be replaced by specific individual physical characteristics such as fingerprints or iris patterns. 

Automation and predictive maintenance

Another way in which artificial intelligence can positively influence access control and security processes is through automation. Consider, for example, the granting and management of temporary or permanent access rights. Until recently, this invariably required some form of human intervention, but thanks to advanced AI systems, this should now be possible (largely) automatically. The advantages are clear: greater efficiency and ease of use, less work for building managers and/or security personnel and, in principle, lower operating costs. In addition, linking and integration with other tools such as video surveillance and time registration software offers many opportunities for further optimisation. Not to mention the promising prospects for predictive maintenance. Read: carrying out proactive maintenance before problems, malfunctions or defects can occur, thanks to the pattern recognition capabilities of AI.

Remain alert

However, every coin has two sides. This is no different with artificial intelligence. No matter how sophisticated certain systems may be and how well regulated everything seems to be, privacy issues are always lurking around the corner, as are false positive or false negative results in AI-based access control. Manual override can offer a solution, but that does not alter the fact that it can lead to frustration or inconvenience. Bias, or the occurrence of inherent prejudices due to one-sided training data, is also an important point of attention. Manipulation or deception by hackers cannot be ruled out either. The good news is that many of these potential drawbacks are already being tackled by the GDPR regulations and the famous AI Act, which was adopted by the European Parliament in mid-March. Of course, there will always be tiny loopholes that shrewd individuals or groups can slip through, so it is important to remain alert to possible abuse.