The busy terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport are patrolled by Mikha Sabu and a team of specialists. They are responsible for retrieving valuable cargo that travelers have left behind and delivering it back to the lost and found department.
According to Sabu, who works in the lost and found area of the airport, “Once we find that item for them, they will be so happy,” she said to CBS News.
In a normal year at DFW, more than 18,000 goods are reported missing by passengers who are arriving at the airport.
However, according to the airport, approximately ninety percent of the objects that are reported to be lost are restored to their owners with the use of artificial intelligence.
This is how it operates. First, the missing item must be reported, and then specifics regarding the missing object must be included in the report. Following this, the artificial intelligence software will attempt to match the item specifics with photographs and descriptions of things that were discovered. After it has been determined that the item is a complete match, it is subsequently sent to the owner.
Additionally, the Lost and Found software, which is under the management of Hallmark Aviation Services, is utilized at eleven other airports.
Shimaa Fadul, who is in charge of the day-to-day operations at the Dallas-Fort Worth lost and found, explains that artificial intelligence can assist in the search for any item by scanning for distinguishing characteristics such as stickers or serial numbers.
From the beginning of this year till now, Fadul’s crew has discovered approximately 600 rings and more than 400 watches, including seven Rolex watches, all of which were abandoned by their respective owners.
However, according to Fadul, one of the most important items that her team discovered was a wedding dress that was returned just twenty-four hours before the big day for the bride.
Fadul stated, “And you cannot imagine that she does not have anything to wear on her wedding day,” and went on to say that the dress was delivered to her by the airport overnight, and it arrived in time for the ceremony.
An example of a “real” problem that is being solved by “artificial” intelligence is brought to light here.
