Smile for the camera: When smart tech tips into surveillance w/ Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh: 6 August, 2025

Recently, AI-enabled CCTV cameras, number plate recognition systems and other smart technologies have been rolled out in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.While information about these technologies is limited, what is known is that they’re primarily being used to detect traffic violations at the moment, although ethical concerns have been raised about how this technology could be used in the future.

Oto spoke to Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh, A senior lecturer in the school of architecture and planning in the faculty of engineering and design at the university of Auckland about the rollout this new AI enabled surveillance technology in Auckland and it’s ethical implications.