Facial recognition technology expands in law enforcement and research

Facial recognition technology is seeing expanded applications in both research and law enforcement. A study from the University of Notre Dame, published in the Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, compared commercial and open-source AI against 4,000 human participants. The research found that accuracy for both AI and humans is heavily influenced by the race of the participant, the race of the face being evaluated, and individual natural abilities. While top-tier AI performs at the level of expert humans, researchers noted that using AI as a benchmark may suggest that general human facial recognition skills are lower than previously assumed.

In Indonesia, Korlantas Polri has integrated facial recognition technology into its Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE) system. By linking the system with the Dukcapil population database, authorities can now identify drivers even if they use fake, modified, or no license plates at all. This upgrade follows data from the first half of 2026 showing 16,812 violations involving official or fake license plates. The integration aims to maximize law enforcement accuracy and assist in solving highway crimes.