Governments around the world are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in policing, but there are concerns that this could lead to discrimination and privacy violations.
Key highlights
- Governments around the world are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in policing, but there are concerns that this could lead to discrimination and privacy violations.
- AI can be used to identify suspects, predict crime, and make decisions about who to stop and search. However, AI systems can be biased, and they may not be able to take into account all of the complex factors that go into policing decisions.
- Governments need to develop clear policies and regulations for the use of AI in policing, and they need to ensure that AI systems are transparent and accountable.
AI can be used to identify suspects, predict crime, and make decisions about who to stop and search. However, AI systems can be biased, and they may not be able to take into account all of the complex factors that go into policing decisions.
For example, a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that facial recognition software was more likely to misidentify people of color and women. And a study by the ACLU found that predictive policing software was more likely to flag black and Hispanic neighborhoods for increased patrols, even though these neighborhoods were not necessarily more crime-prone.
In addition to concerns about bias, there are also concerns about the privacy of AI-powered policing tools. For example, some AI systems use data from social media and other online sources to track people’s movements and identify potential suspects. This data collection can be invasive, and it raises concerns about the potential for government overreach.
Governments need to develop clear policies and regulations for the use of AI in policing. These policies should ensure that AI systems are used in a fair and accountable manner, and that they respect people’s privacy.
Here are some specific steps that governments can take to ensure that AI is used responsibly in policing:
- Require transparency and accountability. Governments should require that AI systems used in policing are transparent and accountable. This means that the public should be able to understand how these systems work, and that there should be mechanisms in place to hold them accountable if they make mistakes.
- Prevent bias. Governments should take steps to prevent bias in AI systems used in policing. This could include conducting regular audits of these systems to identify and address any biases, and working with diverse communities to get feedback on how these systems are used.
- Protect privacy. Governments should protect people’s privacy when using AI in policing. This means collecting only the data that is necessary, and using this data in a transparent and accountable manner.
Governments also need to invest in public education and outreach about AI and policing. The public needs to understand how AI is being used in policing, and they need to have a say in how it is used.
By taking these steps, governments can help to ensure that AI is used in policing in a way that is fair, accountable, and respectful of people’s rights.
Governments have a responsibility to ensure that AI is used in policing in a fair and accountable manner. By taking steps to prevent bias, protect privacy, and invest in public education and outreach, governments can help to ensure that AI is used to improve public safety, not undermine it.
