Policing the Predictive Policing: The Promises and Perils of AI Technologies

Harvard Data Science Review Podcast

In recent years, police departments nationwide have increasingly embraced data and AI tools to enhance their crime prevention, investigation, and conviction efforts. These technologies range from image analysis on body cameras to license plate trackers predicting potential involvement in drug trafficking. However, a crucial question arises: Are these technologies both accurate and fair? Is law enforcement adequately trained to utilize them effectively? Is legislation adapting swiftly enough to keep pace with these transformative changes?

On today’s episode we engage in a conversation with a professor of law and a police chief who together provide us insights into the evolving landscape of policing technologies.

Our guests:

• Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law
• Virgil Green, Chief of Police for Golden Valley, Minnesota, and co-host of “You And The Law” podcast