San Diego State University (SDSU) has installed over 1,300 AI-enabled cameras across its campus, including classrooms, bookstores, and dorms. The university invested more than $1.3 million to upgrade its surveillance system, aiming to enhance safety. However, questions about privacy and transparency have emerged.
In 2024, the Daily Aztec, SDSU’s student newspaper, reported on these developments. Students learned that while the surveillance cameras are in public spaces, there are over 330 cameras placed within residential buildings, raising concerns about privacy. According to the university’s policy, cameras are not supposed to monitoring areas where people expect privacy, yet these dorm cameras exist. In fact, 28% of all campus cameras are in student housing.
The largest dorm, Huaxyacac, has an alarming 79 cameras. Other buildings like Tenochca and Chapultepec are not far behind, with 36 and 33 cameras, respectively. Interestingly, students living in these dorms weren’t informed about the surveillance systems in their lease agreements.
La Monica Everett-Haynes, SDSU’s associate vice president, mentioned that the presence of cameras is outlined in the Guide to Community Living. However, the guide does not specify that these cameras are AI-powered or detail their capabilities. For instance, Avigilon, the company providing the cameras, lists features like facial recognition and behavior analysis.
This has led to discontent among students. Sophia Pomponio, a second-year student, expressed her concerns: “This monitoring is a violation of students’ privacy. It shows how SDSU values their students—not as people, but as currency.”
Despite the sophisticated features of the cameras, university officials claim they are primarily for basic motion detection. Amanda Stills, from campus police, assured that the cameras are not used for tracking individuals. However, the deployment of AI features does hint at a broader potential for enhanced surveillance.
Interestingly, SDSU is ahead of many universities in the California State University (CSU) system when it comes to AI surveillance. Only CSU Northridge has integrated similar systems. Around the country, universities like Michigan State have established advanced security features, including threat detection and tracking.
This trend toward AI in surveillance mirrors a larger movement across various industries, as organizations strive for greater safety and security. However, concerns remain about how this technology impacts personal privacy and what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse. Campus communities will need to navigate the balance between safety and personal freedom as AI surveillance becomes more common.
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