Facial Recognition Can Find Rioters, but May Harm Others The AI-driven technology has been helping officials identify those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, but it also has been found to have racial biases. Officials must balance the potential benefits with the risks. Johana Bhuiyan, Los Angeles Times | February 5, 2021 | Analysis (TNS) — In the days following the Jan. 6 riot at the nation’s Capitol, there was a rush to identify those who had stormed the building’s hallowed halls. Instagram accounts with names like Homegrown Terrorists popped up, claiming to use AI software and neural networks to trawl publicly available images to identify rioters. Researchers such as the cybersecurity expert John Scott-Railton said they deployed facial recognition software to detect trespassers, including a retired Air Force lieutenant alleged to have been spotted on the Senate floor during the riot. Clearview AI, a leading facial recognition firm, said it saw a 26 percent jump in usage from law enforcement agencies on Jan. 7.