Mississippi might land at or near the bottom of plenty of national rankings, but it’s not going to be last to the AI camera party. The state is initiating a new plan to use cameras and artificial intelligence to catch all sorts of traffic violations. Supporters say it’s about reducing crashes. Critics say it’s another step toward a surveillance state. Either way, the Magnolia State is moving ahead.

 

The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Board recently approved a sole-source contract allowing the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) to lease mobile traffic enforcement systems from Acusensus. That’s the same company that neighboring state Arkansas uses in its work zones.