Police using AI risks making discrimination worse, researchers warn
Researchers warn that the use of AI in policing may exacerbate discrimination by relying on biased historical data. Experts advocate for increased human oversight and data auditing to prevent the creation of self-fulfilling prophecies in crime prediction.
Why it matters
As law enforcement agencies increasingly adopt algorithmic tools, the potential for systemic bias poses significant ethical and civil rights concerns.
Image source, Markus Spiske Image caption, AI can magnify biases contained in past police data, researchers say
In his award-winning essay, young British science writer Adrian Dredge wrote about the potential pitfalls of AI and policing.
The essay won the 2026 Young Science Writer Award , external , chosen each year by the Association of British Science Writers. Here is an edited version of the entry.
The growing use of AI in policing risks increasing discrimination against minority groups, researchers have warned.
Studies suggest that predictions of future crime hotspots may be based on biased data, which can magnify existing prejudice and create a dangerous feedback loop.
Experts are calling for the use of AI in policing to be reviewed with greater human oversight.
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