Rutgers is quietly surveilling its students like never before. Here’s what the AI tech can do.

Key Points:

• Rutgers University quietly invested at least $1.5 million in a new AI-powered surveillance system capable of facial recognition, license plate reading, and real-time tracking across campus cameras, without public announcement or Board of Governors approval.
• The system, supplied by Avigilon (a Motorola Solutions company), integrates with thousands of existing cameras and includes advanced analytics to detect unusual behavior and track individuals or vehicles, raising concerns about surveillance overreach.
• Despite the enhanced surveillance capabilities, crime rates on Rutgers campuses have remained steady or declined, mirroring a national trend of decreasing campus crime over the past two decades.
• The purchase was funded from Rutgers' general budget amid significant cuts to academic, dining, and library services, prompting criticism about university spending priorities and transparency.
• Privacy advocates warn that expanding surveillance on campuses nationwide threatens students' First Amendment rights and academic freedom, as universities increasingly adopt comprehensive monitoring technologies without broad stakeholder input.