AI Today Podcast #89: AI in Law Enforcement — Use Case Series

Missing Persons

Facial recognition technology is revolutionizing the search for missing persons and victims of human trafficking. Ron Schmelzer highlights that in 2017, over 88,000 people were reported missing in the U.S., and AI is increasingly used to identify these individuals in public spaces like stadiums and airports 1. AI also helps law enforcement agencies, especially those understaffed, to categorize and prioritize tips from the public, significantly increasing the number of valid tips processed 1.

   

Large Crowds

Facial recognition technology is also being employed to identify suspects in large gatherings and public events. Kathleen Walch mentions that China has successfully used this technology to pick out criminals in stadiums with tens of thousands of people 2. The city of Shenzhen, for example, has over 10,000 cameras to help police identify and arrest suspects, showcasing the potential and scale of this technology 2.

   

Tech Partnerships

Collaborations between tech companies and law enforcement are crucial for implementing facial recognition technologies. Ron Schmelzer notes that Intel partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to automate the analysis of millions of tips, significantly aiding law enforcement efforts 1. Such partnerships enable the integration of advanced AI tools into law enforcement workflows, enhancing their capabilities 1.

   

Regulatory Concerns

Balancing the use of facial recognition with privacy laws and regulations remains a significant challenge. Ron Schmelzer emphasizes the need for laws and regulations to catch up with the rapid advancements in AI technology 3. He points out the societal differences in handling privacy, making it complex to create universal regulations 3.