Recommendation paper: artificial intelligence and predictive policing: risks and challenges

Artificial Intelligence makes it possible to create autonomous systems that can execute highly complex tasks, such as processing enormous amounts of information, forecasting future events, and learning to adapt through experience. This opens up possibilities for predictive policing: AI applications can handle large amounts of complex data (crime data, video streams from security cameras, …) and predict when or where crimes will take place. But there are risks to it as well: such systems must respect the freedom and integrity of citizens, the protected nature of personal data, and must not reproduce or introduce illegal profiling or inequities. This paper explains the technology befind predictive policing computer programmes and provides an overview of the opportunities and risks of AI applications for the purpose of predictive policing.

Published: June 2022.