On April 11, 2024, I was interviewed on Onda Cero Granada’s “Más de Uno” program (92.0 FM) to explain the technical details behind the AI-powered early detection system for vandalism deployed in Granada.
This interview took place a few weeks after the official presentation on March 19, 2024, when the Mayor of Granada, Marifrán Carazo, announced this pioneering project at a national level to combat illegal graffiti using artificial intelligence.
🎙️ Listen to the full interview
The complete interview is available on iVoox:
🤖 What we discussed
During the interview, I explained how this groundbreaking system operates:
The technical foundation:
- Granada’s existing video surveillance camera network serves as the infrastructure base
- We deployed the system initially on City Hall buildings’ cameras
- A small edge computing device is installed on each camera to process video feeds in real-time
How the AI detection works:
- The system uses deep learning algorithms trained to recognize suspicious behaviors and visual changes
- It detects people loitering near critical or heritage infrastructure
- It identifies chromatic changes on building facades and surfaces
- When an anomaly is detected, it sends real-time alerts to the Policía Local’s mobile devices
The training process:
- The AI models are trained using thousands of images and videos of similar situations from around the world
- The system learns to recognize patterns and replicate that knowledge to detect new incidents
- It compares current images against reference patterns to identify substantial differences
💡 Key points from the interview
Not magic, but mathematics:
As I emphasized during the interview, this isn’t science fiction—it’s applied artificial intelligence based on rigorous mathematical models and computer vision techniques.
Pattern recognition and anomaly detection:
The interviewer asked me to explain in simple terms how the system works. I described it as a process of similarity search: the system maintains reference patterns of clean surfaces and compares them in real-time against current footage. When a substantial difference is detected, it triggers an alert.
Real-time response:
The most critical aspect of this system is its immediacy. By detecting suspicious activity or changes as they happen, law enforcement can respond quickly, potentially catching perpetrators in the act and preventing damage to heritage sites and public spaces.
🏛️ A pioneering initiative for Granada
During the interview, we discussed how this project positions Granada as the first Spanish city to implement an AI-based early detection system for vandalism using deep learning techniques.
The system is part of a comprehensive strategy that includes:
- Enhanced surveillance of critical and heritage areas
- Immediate alerts to Policía Local for rapid intervention
- Stronger sanctions for vandalism offenses
- Special cleaning teams to restore affected areas
🎯 Public engagement and transparency
One of the goals of this interview was to help citizens understand how the technology works and how it contributes to preserving Granada’s urban environment and cultural heritage. By explaining the technical details in accessible language, we aimed to foster trust and demonstrate our commitment to responsible AI deployment.
As I mentioned in the interview, the system respects privacy regulations while providing an effective tool for urban security and heritage protection.
🌍 Impact and future applications
This technology demonstrates how AI and smart city platforms can address real civic challenges. Beyond vandalism detection, the underlying computer vision and pattern recognition capabilities have potential applications in:
- Traffic flow optimization
- Crowd monitoring for public safety
- Infrastructure maintenance alerts
- Environmental monitoring
📻 Radio Station: Onda Cero Granada (92.0 FM).
📅 Air Date: April 11, 2024 – 13:19h.
🎙️ Program: Más de Uno Granada.
🎤 Guest: Juan Isern Ghosn – AI Director, Innovasur.
🏙️ Topic: AI-Based Vandalism Detection System in Granada.
🎧 Listen: iVoox Link.
This interview provided an opportunity to communicate complex AI technology to the general public, demonstrating how innovation can serve civic well-being and cultural preservation.
More information: Official Innovasur announcement
📸 Image credits: Onda Cero Granada / Innovasur
