Public perception of the use of 'AI' in the policing of marginalised communities

• In Event: POL Panel 20. Criminal Justice and AI: Bias, public perception and ethics

Abstract

This paper will draw on recent research completed on public and stakeholder perceptions of the use of AI technologies in policing. It will focus specifically on public views on the use of such technologies in relation to marginalised communities and shed some light on the concerns raised. We conducted research exploring the benefits, challenges and ethical concerns raised by the use of various computational technologies proposed for use in policing with the public, police representatives and other relevant stakeholders. We drew on survey research, focus groups discussion and interviews for this study and found a significant lack of awareness of the various technologies proposed for use in policing. Regardless, a significant concern was expressed about privacy and that concern was higher among young and ethnic minority respondents. We also saw support for retaining a ‘human-in-the loop’, concern about ‘mission creep’ and accuracy of the technology. In this paper we will focus specifically on how the use of these technologies is seen to impact marginalised communities and consider the importance of such concerns for policing in England and Wales.

Authors

• Martina Feilzer, Bangor University, Wales, UK

• Bethan Loftus, Bangor University