Punjab has launched a province-wide AI-powered monitoring system called “Talk to Camera” in response to the tragic death of a seven-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole. The system aims to detect hazards in real time and prevent such accidents in the future.
The move comes after the child’s tragic incident on the Kahror Pacca-Lodhran Highway, which led Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to fast-track safety upgrades across the province.
Developed by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), the Talk to Camera system uses artificial intelligence to monitor public spaces and identify risks such as open manholes, overflowing garbage, smoke, and blocked paths. When a hazard is detected, the system sends instant alerts to the appropriate authorities for swift action.
The AI system has already proven its effectiveness, detecting incidents like open manholes and missing covers, along with providing precise locations and timestamps. This demonstrates the system’s ability to consistently identify safety risks.
CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted that the system allows officers to search the camera network using simple natural language commands, enabling them to quickly find hazards like “manholes with missing covers” or “areas with smoke.”
The system, which was successfully tested in Lahore and Sheikhupura, will now be rolled out to all major cities in Punjab as part of the government’s broader effort to enhance public safety and improve city surveillance through advanced AI technologies.
