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Nine schools in North Ayrshire are using facial recognition technology to reduce payment queues for students at school meal breaks, this solution should eliminate queues and minimise the contact for the transmission of COVID-19. Negative feedback was received from parents and campaigners as they were not aware of the project’s outcome. In return, the North Ayrshire Council said that 97% of children or their parents had agreed to the use of facial recognition. The company implementing the project spokesperson David Swanston, managing director of CRB Cunninghams, states that it is the fastest and easiest way to identify all students and thus reduce the waiting time to a minimum. The Department for Education states that it does not monitor facial recognition technology use in schools. Also, other critics stated that facial recognition is not monitored as strictly as other biometrics. At the Download Festival in 2015 at Donnington Park, the use of live facial recognition systems was applied to aid the Leicestershire police in trailing the queues to enter the venue. Campaigners are worried that this technology will instigate arrests without any reason. Although this system is used in public areas like E-gates at airports and public events like the Notting Hill Carnival, the Metropolitan Police found the technology to be highly inaccurate with an 81% error rate in an independent study. Big Brother Watch’s head, Silkie Carlo, criticized the use of such advanced technology for normal routine activities such as school lunch payments, stating that it is unnecessary to go to certain extremes since this is a school, not an airport.
Analysis of Article
In the world of today, people are relying on AI very easily even for the smallest of tasks. While this technology was introduced and implemented during COVID-19, and human contact had to be minimal, I feel we are starting to lose our identity with all these drastic measures. When kids line up for the meal, they have time to socialise among themselves and even with the person who is at the other end serving their meal. This kind of connection is important as this is an opportunity for kids to build social and relationship skills which could fade if we depend too much on technology.
On a positive note, this implementation of the project offers a practical solution for students not to wait in queue as valuable time is currently being lost. Overall, it shall prove to be a good initiative. This shall also ensure that the meal service runs smoothly and efficiently thus lowering also the risks associated with COVID-19.Promoting Haz-Zebbug for Citta Slow
Zebbug is a village in Malta’s southern region and is one of the oldest. It is one of the oldest villages in Malta, with a population of 11,074 as of June 2021.Ħaż-Żebbuġ was made up of several communities that were formed during Malta’s Arab occupation. These include Ħal-Dwin, Ħal-Muxi, and Ħal-Mula. (Wikipedia)
Whilst these communities do not exist anymore one may find that some locals still refer to certain areas of Ħaż-Żebbuġ by these names as they are still attached to their rural roots. Given this strong bond applying for Citta Slow is a great idea as it would have a holistic approach that improves the well-being of residents and adopts a sense of belonging within the community. Addressing the issue of air and noise pollution and trying to minimize its effects, shall make a difference in the quality of life for the village residents.
The goal of this initiative is to have a positive participation in this programme. The programme shall focus on lowering emissions and decreasing pollution with more trees to be planted, also in creating quiet spaces where one can relax and escape from the hustle and bustle and proposing more public spaces into pedestrian-friendly streets.
Meetings need to be scheduled with the local council and government entities for permit application and other bureaucratic documentation. To facilitate, workshops can be organised so that residents can participate in the upcoming changes, be aware of the numerous benefits of this programme and have everyone on board- residents and the local council.
This project will ensure that Zebbug remains a village where one can taste a bit of fresh air even when pollution is more common in other areas.