I don’t know about you, but personally, I have seen an ATM booting up Windows XP. I have also heard people claim they saw ATMs running on Windows 2000. I am careful not to say that this is a developing world problem since for most big corporations around the world, adopting new technology is often an expensive process filled with a lot of bureaucracy.
Talking of ATM systems, whose underlying infrastructure are actually computer operating system. Microsoft has teamed up with the National Australia Bank (NAB) to showcase the application of the Azure Cognitive Services in ATMs. Now, Azure is part of the latest technology from Microsoft that promises enhanced security leveraging on biometrics security.
Microsoft was showcasing the Azure facial recognition technology and how it could be useful to ATMs around the world. As the customer approaches the ATM to withdraw cash, the underlying Azure technology adds an extra layer of security on top of the PIN-and-Chip technology that comes with the ATM cards.
Though Microsoft maintains that customers will still need their ATM cards accompanied by PIN to access their account via the automated teller machine. Microsoft is just undertaking a proof of concept exercise, but they are definitely working towards a future where the ATM will have more security features.
“We believe AI will profoundly impact financial services and the sorts of solutions that banks will be able to deliver in the future. For a consumer-facing application such as the AI-powered ATM we’ve developed with NAB, this sort of continuous AI innovation in important,” said Microsoft’s spokesperson Steven Worrall.
His counterpart, Patrick Wright, the NAB chief technology added, “Cloud technology allows us to take advantage of features and capabilities that are world-leading and enable us to deliver at pace for our customers.”
This special ATM is on display in Sidney at the Swift International Banking Operations Seminar at the ICC.
Related: ATMs running on Windows XP can be hacked using Sticky Keys