Predictive Policing and Artificial Intelligence

Predictive policing and artificial intelligence (AI) are two interrelated policy areas that are growing in prominence. Powerful digital crime mapping tools are being used to identify crime hotspots in real-time, while facial and vehicle recognition cameras are locating criminals as they move. AI promises to reduce unnecessary labor, speed up various forms of police work, encourage police forces to more efficiently apportion their resources, and enable police officers to prevent crime and protect people from future harms. However, the promises of predictive and AI technologies and innovations do not always match reality, and they often have significant weaknesses, come at a considerable cost, and require challenging trade-offs to be made.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Predictive policing and artificial intelligence (AI) are two rapidly evolving policy areas that have garnered significant attention worldwide. These technologies are being used to identify crime hotspots in real-time, analyze vast amounts of data, and develop strategies to prevent and combat crime. While AI has the potential to revolutionize the way police work, it also raises important ethical and legal concerns.

One of the key advantages of predictive policing is its ability to identify potential crime hotspots before they occur. By analyzing data from various sources, such as social media, surveillance cameras, and crime statistics, police agencies can identify areas where crime is likely to occur and deploy resources accordingly. This can help to reduce crime rates and improve public safety.

Another advantage of AI is its ability to analyze large amounts of data quickly and accurately. This can help police agencies to identify patterns and trends that may be difficult to detect manually. For example, AI algorithms can analyze social media posts and other online data to identify potential threats or criminal activity.

However, there are also significant challenges associated with predictive policing and AI. One of the main concerns is the potential for these technologies to perpetuate biases and discrimination. Since AI algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on, there is a risk that they may reinforce existing inequalities and perpetuate discrimination against certain groups.

Another concern is the potential for these technologies to be used for surveillance purposes without proper oversight. Since AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that may be associated with criminal activity, there is a risk that they may be used to monitor and control individuals without their consent. This can violate their privacy rights and lead to a sense of distrust between the public and the police.

In addition, there are concerns about the transparency and accountability of AI-powered policing systems. Since these systems are often complex and opaque, it can be difficult to understand how they make decisions and to hold them accountable for their actions. This can lead to a lack of trust in the police and a sense that they are operating beyond the bounds of the law.

To address these challenges, it is important to ensure that predictive policing and AI are implemented in a responsible and ethical manner. This includes ensuring that the data used to train AI algorithms is diverse and representative of the population, that there is proper oversight and regulation of these technologies, and that individuals have the right to access and control their data.

In conclusion, predictive policing and AI have the potential to revolutionize the way police work, but they also raise important ethical and legal concerns. It is important to ensure that these technologies are implemented in a responsible and ethical manner to minimize the potential for biases and discrimination, to protect privacy rights, and to ensure transparency and accountability. By doing so, we can help to build trust between the public and the police and create a safer and more just society.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367701369