AI technology used to track down unauthorized swimming pools TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. AI technology used to track down unauthorized swimming pools By Will McCurdy published 30 August 2022 AI helps French authorities crackdown on tax evaders (Image credit: Shutterstock.com / F8 studio) Audio player loading… Software developed by Google and French consulting firm Capgemini has helped to unearth 20,000 undeclared pools in France. Under French Law, properties with pools are subject to higher taxes, up to the tune of 30% according to the French newspaper The Connexion (opens in new tab). The tech-led discovery is set to cost would-be French tax evaders up to €10m. How does the software work The system, dubbed 'Foncier innovate', sifted through aerial images to detect undeclared additions to properties, cross-referencing them against the data held by French tax authorities. The technology has already been trialed in nine different French regions, including Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, Ardèche, Rhône, Haute-Savoie, Vendée, Maine-et-Loire, and Morbihan. It's easy to see why France is taking any steps it can to tax water-guzzling pool owners, it's experiencing one of its worst droughts ever. National weather service Meteo-France reported July 2022 was the country's driest month in 60 years. (opens in new tab) There have been disastrous knock-on costs for the whole economy, including milk shortages and reduced corn harvest. The French authorities have said they intend to extend the AI project to detect building extensions and outhouses, which is estimated to allow local authorities to collect another €40m levies in 2023.READ MORE: > The latest DeepMind AI breakthrough could be perfect for Indiana Jones > Google's amazing new photo AI brings light to darkness and much much more > Our guide to the best cloud storage Private pools are big business in France, the country has over three million private swimming pools according to The Connexion, making it the second largest pool market outside the US. The pandemic homeworking boom benefited the private pool industry in France, sales were up 175,000 in 2020 according to Statistica. Not everyone is pleased about this new AI use case, however. French trade union CGT Finances Publiques has reportedly expressed concerns about potential staff cuts as a result of the latest innovation, according to The Connexion.Working on your own AI projects? Checkout our guide to the best cloud hosting Will McCurdyWill McCurdy has been writing about technology for over five years. He has a wide range of specialities including cybersecurity, fintech, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, cloud computing, payments, artificial intelligence, retail technology, and venture capital investment. He has previously written for AltFi, FStech, Retail Systems, and National Technology News and is an experienced podcast and webinar host, as well as an avid long-form feature writer. See more Computing news Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to theTechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST POPULARMOST SHARED1You may not have to sell a body part to afford the Nvidia RTX 4090 after all2It looks like Fallout's spiritual successor is getting a PS5 remaster3My days as a helpful meat shield are over, thanks to the Killer Klown horror game4One of the world's most popular programming languages is coming to Linux5The iPhone 14 Pro is made of the wrong stuff; the Pixel 7 proves that to me1We finally know what 'Wi-Fi' stands for - and it's not what you think2Best laptops for designers and coders 3The iPhone 14 Pro is made of the wrong stuff; the Pixel 7 proves that to me4Miofive 4K Dash Cam review5Logitech's latest webcam and headset want to relieve your work day frustrations Technology Magazines (opens in new tab)● (opens in new tab)The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviewsFrom$12.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)