Discovery of thousands of undeclared private swimming pools in France has provided surprising windfall for French tax authorities. Following an experiment with the use of artificial intelligence (AI), where over 20,000 hidden pools were discovered.

HIGHLIGHTS
With the use of artificial intelligence over 20,000 hidden pools were discovered
Over 3.2 million private swimming pools were available in France 2020
The software was used to notice undeclared home extensions, patios or gazebos

As per the French media reports, they have collected some €10m ($9.9; £8.5m) in revenue. Therefore, pools would cause higher property taxes as they boost property worth and it should be declared under the French law.

The software which was developed by Google and French consulting firm Capgemini had noticed that the pools on aerial pictures of nine French regions throughout a trail in October 2021. The regions of Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, Ardèche, Rhône, Haute -Savoie, Vendée, Maine-et-Loire and Morbihan were a part of the trial however tax officials have mentioned that it might roll out nationwide.

There were over 3.2 million private swimming pools in France 2020, as per the data with sales that was already booming before the Covid pandemic. But as there were more employees who have been working from home, there was an additional surge in pool installations.

As per Le Parisien newspaper, an average pool of 30 sq m (322 sq ft) was taxed at €200 ($200; £170) a year.

The tax authorities have mentioned that the software would eventually be used to notice undeclared home extensions, patios or gazebos that additionally play a part in property taxes.

The deputy director general of public finances, Antoine Magnant has mentioned Le Parisien that 'We were significantly targeting house extensions like verandas. But need to be sure that the software would notice buildings with a large footprint and not the dog kennel or the children's playhouse.'

When France's Europe-Ecology Greens party’s Julien Bayou, did not rule out a ban on new private pools then it was the time when the crackdown comes. Well, when he had spoken to BFMTV, he had mentioned that France wants a 'different relationship to water' and which the ban would be a 'last resort.'

He even mentioned that 'the challenges were not to ban the swimming pools but it was actually to make sure about our very important water requirements.'

Well, his comments came when France tackles with its worst recorded drought that has left over 100 municipalities short of drinking water.

In July, France had simply 9.7mm (0.38 inches) of rain, which eventually made it the driest month since March 1961, the national weather service Meteo-France has stated.

To conserve water irrigation has put ban on much of the north-west and south-east of France.

Also Read: In 2022 Artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere