In France, more than 20,000 swimming pools were discovered (and taxed) in months. It’s AI’s fault

Since October, French funding has collected more than 10 million euros in taxes and expects to add another 40 in the coming months.

France, Like other countriesExperiencing a historical drought. For many, swimming pools are a refreshing solution to the heat – by the way, the latest data estimates suggest that there are 3.2 million swimming pools across France. But as the number of swimming pools increases, there is also stricter inspection by the authorities … and artificial intelligence.

Swimming pools are subject to taxes to add value to the property they are listed on, so those that have not been declared represent tax evasion – which is now being combated through an artificial intelligence system developed by multinational companies Google and Capgemini. From the aerial photos, the AI ​​can detect what it interprets as a blueprint of the swimming pools in the particular properties and then compare it to the original database. Once the AI ​​is “denounced”, the owners have 90 days to rectify the situation.

Since the first use of this system, in October of last year, about 20,356 unauthorized swimming pools have been discovered. The tax authorities have announced that they have recovered about 10 million euros in taxes from nine French regions, but hope to raise another 40 million euros for state coffers by 2023.

The next step iscircular“The system is all over France, although artificial intelligence is not always infallible. In some cases, solar panels were read as swimming pools; in others, it was impossible to recognize any tree-covered structure. However, Antoine Magnant, Deputy Director General of Finance, praises the system and expresses intent to implement it in other unannounced areas, such as balconies and pergolas.

“But we have to make sure that software He warned against finding buildings with large monuments, not the doghouse or the children’s playhouse.”

Controversial gatherings on another issue – drought

In France’s devastating drought, private swimming pools were already controversial for other reasons.

Several environmental associations have protested against the use of water for recreational purposes at a time when drinking water is scarce in many French villages, dependent on water delivery from other parts of the country. Farming groups have also warned that food shortages caused by the drought will be especially catastrophic in the coming winter.

National Secretary for Europa Ecology – The Greens Party, Julian Bayou, sparked controversy when he commented that he would not oppose a ban on private pools, should dry spells worsen and recur. Later on the social network Twitter“The challenge is not to prevent swimming pools, but rather to ensure our basic water needs,” he explained.