Artificial Intelligence: A Primer for Police Leaders

Since the dawn of the industrial age, scientists, engineers, and inventors have thought of machines that would operate autonomously for the benefit of mankind. The computer age furthered those dreams with the pursuits of a computer that could replicate human intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) now exists across different infrastructures and platforms to solve human problems or alleviate humans from common tasks. Police leaders stand to benefit from the application of AI to streamline operations and bring new solutions to old crime problems. Law enforcement agencies should utilize artificial intelligence technologies to enhance police services and improve crime reduction strategies. However, leaders will need to become better educated about the use of data in AI systems if they are to avoid pitfalls. Agencies and the communities they serve will need to collaborate on the implementation of artificial intelligence to be successful in the long term.