The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is upping the ante with new security measures. Plain old surveillance cameras are just so last year. In 2005, the MTA selected Lockheed Martin to upgrade its electronic security operations infrastructure but, apparently, they need some help. Enter ObjectVideo, the leader in intelligent video surveillance. Together, they will protect the MTA (and, of course, its loyal riders) from possible future terrorist attacks. To date, this $212 million base contract is the MTA’s largest financial commitment to combat terrorism. What will the 7.8 million New Yorkers served by the MTA each day be getting for that hefty sum (besides an invasion of privacy)? Well, ObjectVideo will be applying the latest technology to security cameras throughout the MTA’s subway stations, bridges and tunnels. The technology will be controlled by user-specified rules that will instruct the software to detect, classify and alert humans of a security threat. Yeah, that’s what they said in I, Robot. We’re talking about artificial intelligence here; computers enabled to “see” and “understand” what the surveillance cameras record. Raul Fernandez, the CEO of ObjectVideo, says, “Smart technologies and the rapid flow of critical information are vital components for the prevention of terrorist attacks and other threats.” Other threats? Let the conspiracy theories flow.