ABI Research: AI investment is surging due to COVID-19

New York-based tech consultancy ABI Research has stated in a press release that, whilst biometric investment struggles, AI has been gaining traction. The reason, the firm explains, is a logical one: government regulations seeking to limit contact and cross-contamination have made biometric equipment unappealing to the tech market, whilst the need AI-powered automation to maintain business continuity is growing. Dimitrios Pavlakis, Digital Security Analyst at ABI, considers that the biometric sector's loss could reach approximately US$2bn, which could have significant implications for the public sector. "Fingerprint biometrics vendors are struggling to uphold the new stringent hygiene and infection control protocols. These regulations have been correctly introduced for the safety of users and personnel, but they have also affected sales in certain verticals," he said.