Being in the Bay Area, it’s hard to miss a Waymo on the road. If you haven’t taken one yet, you should. The experience feels so intuitive, effortless and safe as a passenger. You just get in, sit back and relax while you are magically transported to your destination.
What feels simple on the surface is powered by immense complexity under the hood. AI processes data from a network of cameras, lidar, and radar sensors to plan routes, adjust speed and lane position, and anticipate the movements of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers nearby. The vehicle has to understand where it is, anticipate what might happen next and chart its own path in real time.
The results speak for themselves. Earlier this year, Waymo reported that across more than 56.7 million miles, when compared to human drivers, its AI driver was involved in 85% fewer crashes with suspected serious or worse injuries, 96% fewer injury-involving intersection crashes and substantial reductions in crashes involving injuries among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
This is just one example of how AI is moving from a futuristic concept to everyday convenience. AI is everywhere, from the recommendations queued by our favorite streaming services that save us from “scrolling fatigue”, to our daily work copilots that analyze charts or summarize meetings in seconds. It fuels generative tools that help us design graphics and brainstorm ideas in real time.
That same expectation of simplicity is now reshaping physical security. For years, access control has relied predominantly on what you have (badges, mobile credentials) or “what you know” (PIN codes). Now the shift is toward authentication with facial biometrics, or “something you are”, where the experience is natural and effortless, while also making employees more secure and safe.
At Alcatraz, we’re delivering on that reality. Our AI-powered technology continuously adapts to evolving facial features with each interaction, enabling people to move securely without slowing down, all while preserving privacy. Features like real-time tailgating detection and instant authentication make security seamless- much like a self-driving car, where all the complexity happens under the hood while the journey itself feels simple, safe, and effortless.
The future of access control won’t be defined by what you carry, but by who you are. AI-powered systems will quietly power that experience, blending human-centered design with the trust, consistency, and reliability of machines.
AI isn’t a bubble; it’s a shift. Not every company will get it right, but when it comes to access control, the potential is transformative, making secure entry as effortless as a ride in a self-driving car.