Understanding Artificial Intelligence

It is critically important for the police leaders, elected officials and the public to understand the use of Artificial Intelligence in policing. AI can be used to enhance public safety and operational efficiency. For example, it can predict crime hotspots or aid in reducing overtime through better scheduling. Its use must, however, be balanced against ethical considerations. This is especially true in regards to privacy and civil rights. Transparency is key to maintaining public confidence and ensuring accountability. To regulate the police use AI effectively, police leaders and policymakers must first develop at least a rudimentary understanding of the technology. Police forces need training in AI literacy so they can use these tools responsibly. And the public needs to understand how AI will be used by the people they pay to protect them.

In this section, we examine the various aspects of understanding artificial intelligence from a user’s perspective. This is not intended to be a deep dive into the designing or programming of AI algorithms. Rather, this is intended to give police leaders, policymakers and community members a working knowledge of what AI is and its various uses so they are better equipped to glimpse its future and the ramifications of its use in policing.