The National Retail Association (NRA) is urging Australian state and federal governments to change privacy regulations, claiming they are blocking the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle retail crime and improve safety.
NRA CEO Greg Griffith said while AI is already improving online channels, there is potential for it to create safe retail spaces.
“Astonishingly, it’s estimated that organised crime groups account for around 65 per cent of all retail crime, and it’s perpetrated by just a handful of individuals,” Griffith said.
“The National Retail Association believes AI holds the key to detecting repeat and organised criminal offenders in shopping centres and other precincts, and alerting both business owners and police to their presence.”
Griffith said AI platforms can distinguish between genuine customers and potential thieves in a way that human monitoring of security cameras cannot.
“Unfortunately, privacy laws in most states and territories are currently structured to prevent the use of AI in detecting the presence of criminals,” he said.
“We can understand that there would be concerns for the privacy and comfort of customers. However, these individuals are not customers in shopping centres – they are only there to commit crimes, and we believe they should forfeit their right to privacy in such circumstances.
“We further believe that allowing the use of AI to identify and respond to repeat offenders in shopping precincts actually enhances the rights of genuine shoppers – particularly the right to safety and the right to not have to pay the price of crime.”
Griffith said AI tools can save money not only for retailers and customers but also for police who would be able to deploy their resources more effectively.
National Retail has retail crime committees in all states and territories that are working with police and business owners to produce data and case studies to support the call for law reform in this space.
Griffith said governments must ensure laws kept pace with the available technology.
“With the right information, technology, and laws, we can create an environment where honest customers can shop with confidence, businesses can thrive, and our law enforcement agencies have the tools and powers they need to protect us all.”