Welcome back. Transit authorities across Europe are turning to artificial intelligence to limit passengers’ exposure to the new coronavirus. AI technology can detect whether riders are wearing face masks and complying with social distancing rules. But transit officials need to be sure their systems don’t violate the continent’s privacy rules, which isn’t always easy.

European transit authorities deploying AI to prevent Covid-19 infections. European transit systems have started rolling out artificial-intelligence systems to protect passengers from the new coronavirus as lockdowns across the continent ease, WSJ Pro’s Catherine Stupp reports from Brussels. 

AI monitors social distancing, vehicle crowding.  In the U.K., Manchester’s transit authority is testing computer vision software to determine whether people respect social-distancing rules. In Spain, the government of Catalonia introduced a mobile app that uses machine learning and a combination of camera feeds from inside buses, information on occupancy rates and other data to inform passengers about crowded buses.

Public transportation operators in cities around the world have become increasingly interested in using AI, in particular to manage crowds and anticipate patterns in passenger activity, said Sylvain Haon. Mr. Haon is senior director of strategy at the International Association of Public Transport, a Brussels-based group whose members include transit authorities and companies servicing public transportation.

Systems must meet privacy standards. It can be tricky for European authorities to deploy AI in public spaces under the continent’s General Data Protection Regulation privacy standards. One GDPR rule requires officials to obtain permission from anyone whose personal data is processed. A French effort was suspended when the country’s data protection regulator raised a concern.

Still, AI can enable authorities to respond to situations and adapt services. “We have a lot to gain from AI in the transport sector,” said Mr. Haon

Amazon acquiring self-driving startup Zoox. Amazon has reached an agreement to acquire autonomous-car developer Zoox, The Wall Street Journal’s Tim Higgins and Matt Grossman report.

The deal is valued at just more than $1.2 billion, according to WSJ, which cited a person familiar with it. The plan is for Zoox to continue developing its robot taxi, an electric vehicle that has been in the works.

Zoox was founded in 2014 and grew quickly amid expanding interest in autonomous vehicles and ride hailing but has more recently struggled to raise funding.

Solink gets $17 million investment. Solink, a security and data analytics company, received C$23 million ($17 million) in an investment round, Bloomberg reports. It was led by the venture capital arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System. Solink uses AI to spot suspicious behavior, according to the report.

Boston Dynamics to add arm to four-legged robot. Boston Dynamics is planning to add an arm to its four-legged robot, Spot, and eventually market the machine for home use, VentureBeat reports.

Under mounting pressure from advertisers, Facebook Inc. said it would start labeling political speech that violated its rules and take other measures to prevent voter suppression and protect minorities from abuse. (WSJ)

Black people make up 12.4% of the U.S. population, but only 8% of professionals and 3% of senior executives. Those in the top ranks say now is the time to speak out after years of keeping silent. (WSJ)

Write to Enterprise Technology Editor Steven Rosenbush and Pro AI Deputy Editor John McCormick.

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