{"id":16013,"date":"2019-11-08T09:21:45","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T16:21:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=16013"},"modified":"2019-11-08T09:21:45","modified_gmt":"2019-11-08T16:21:45","slug":"telus-pitches-bringing-5g-living-lab-to-whyte-ave-in-edmonton-would-test-surveillance-and-algorithm-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=16013","title":{"rendered":"Telus pitches bringing 5G \u2018living lab\u2019 to Whyte Ave in Edmonton, would test surveillance and algorithm technology"},"content":{"rendered":"
BY SCOTT JOHNSTON<\/a> 630CHED<\/span><\/div>\n
Posted October 28, 2019 2:59 pm<\/div>\n
Updated October 29, 2019 12:23 pm<\/div>\n
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City councillors on executive committee gave the go-ahead for city staff to continue exploring a partnership with Telus to use 5G technology in what the company said would be a \u2018living lab\u2019, testing new surveillance and algorithm technology along Whyte Avenue.<\/p>\n

Telus has previously tested its 5G lab concept in Vancouver<\/strong>,<\/a> working with the controversial company Huawei.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The company says it won\u2019t be Big Brother, however councillors Monday cautioned against using gains in artificial intelligence to invade privacy.<\/p>\n

Coun. Jon Dziadyk asked about whether the company could use high-tech cameras and face recognition to identify alleged individuals in petty crime.<\/p>\n

Ryan Walker, a senior design specialist with Telus, said the company has no plans to do so. \u201cIt needs oversight and understanding,\u201d he told the committee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis opportunity through Whyte Ave. came through our partnership with the Edmonton Police<\/a> and with some conversations with the Old Strathcona Business Association,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo they (the association) came to the Edmonton Police with a very tactical problem statement around crime \u2014 graffiti. I think there was over the summer months there, there was an individual lighting cars on fire<\/a>, so that was kind of the catalyst of what can we do, what can they do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Walker also told the committee there can be real-time efforts to assist with health care, for instance if someone who\u2019s homeless is sleeping under a bus bench.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan a sensor assist some trigger, that says \u2018Hey, that\u2019s out of the normal scope\u2019, can we do some sort of health info proactively as opposed to reactively,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of these are for that AI behavioral type of environments where we\u2019re very cautious on the privacy and the health impacts. Where are those? What are the rules? But there are areas where it can help, it can benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coun. Scott McKeen was interested in one proposal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey think that they\u2019re going to be able to have an algorithm where somebody is\u2026 shaking a spray can to start their graffiti work,\u201d McKeen told Global News.<\/p>\n

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City staff told the committee no specific partnership is currently in place, so it\u2019s premature to include police in any discussion. \u201cIt\u2019s early days,\u201d said deputy city manager Stephanie McCabe.<\/p>\n

In a statement emailed to Global News, a TELUS spokesperson said:<\/p>\n

\u201cTELUS presented a proposal to build a Smart City Living Lab on Whyte Avenue, aligning with the direction of the city\u2019s Digital Action Plan. The proposal would see TELUS install next-generation technology along mutually-determined sections of Whyte Avenue, providing residents and businesses access to advanced connectivity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Living Lab will not only prepare the area for future 5G connectivity, but will also provide valuable information to the city that will help increase safety through pedestrian and vehicle monitoring and aid in growth design with real-time trend and movement analytics.<\/p>\n

\u201cTELUS has a longstanding, strong working relationship with the city and, if the proposal moves forward, we will work collaboratively with city officials, partners and community stakeholders to ensure the Living Lab will deliver value to Edmontonians,\u201d wrote Doug Self, with TELUS public relations.<\/p>\n

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An EPS spokesman declined comment via email because \u201cthe proposal is external to police.\u201d<\/p>\n

Work will continue on the scope of the test lab, with the proposal due to be back before city councillors in April.<\/p>\n

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Telus pitches bringing 5G ‘living lab’ to Whyte Ave in Edmonton, would test surveillance and algorithm technology<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n