Can Machines Keep You Safer at Airports Than Humans?

Airports worldwide are starting to replace security officials with machines to identify passengers, and those machines could soon start checking your bags.

The machines should make the check-in process safer and more efficient, allowing passengers a stress-free flying experience. But some think reliance on automated security poses a host of potential dangers.

In many ways, machines can more quickly and accurately determine who should be allowed to board a plane. If someone is trying to pass as someone else, he could be pretty convincing with a hairstyle change or colored contact lenses. But you can't alter your irises, which is how machines in some airports across Europe, Australia and the United States identify passengers. This makes it much more difficult to pass off as your buddy. Read more...