Besfort Lamallari: Artificial intelligence takes charge of road and school safety

Albania has officially begun implementing the “Smart City” program, a massive technological project that entrusts public safety to artificial intelligence.

The system, which is not limited to ordinary cameras, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said during the project’s presentation, includes high-precision radars and intelligent noise sensors deployed across 24 major cities, 28 border crossing points and, initially, 20 schools in Tirana.

Through a new command and control center, artificial intelligence-powered software processes entire gigabytes of information, images and audio from 873 operational locations within seconds.

Any suspicious behavior, ranging from traffic violations and carrying weapons in public spaces to the presence of dangerous or potentially terrorist individuals near borders or schools, is detected in real time.

The system generates immediate alerts, directing the nearest police patrols to intervene before serious incidents occur.

The first phase of the project has focused on the 20 most attended schools in the capital. Its main objective is to create a completely safe environment where students can focus on their education without any external threat, guaranteeing parents complete peace of mind during school hours.

The implementation of this integrated ecosystem, described by authorities as an epochal leap for public safety in the country, follows a long path marked by obstacles, speculation and bureaucratic delays.

However, direct support from the head of government has made it possible to break through what was described as an “absurd wall” against innovation, bringing Albania one step closer to European security standards.