What is the danger?
Police and courts use AI to identify suspects, predict crime and assess risk. When these systems are wrong, the cost is someone’s freedom. Errors fall most heavily on people who are already over-policed, and the technology is often used with little transparency or oversight.
How it happens
- Facial-recognition matches treated as proof instead of a lead.
- Blurry images and old photos run through systems with known accuracy gaps.
- Risk scores that influence bail, sentencing or parole.
Real cases
In February 2023 Detroit police arrested Porcha Woodruff, who was eight months pregnant, for a carjacking after a facial-recognition match. She was held for hours, later hospitalised, and the case was dismissed.
Source: NBC News ↗
What you can do
- Support limits on police use of facial recognition and mandatory disclosure when it is used.
- If you are accused on the basis of an algorithm, ask a lawyer to demand the evidence behind it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the danger of justice in AI?
Police and courts use AI to identify suspects, predict crime and assess risk. When these systems are wrong, the cost is someone’s freedom. Errors fall most heavily on people who are already over-policed, and the technology is often used with little transparency or oversight.
How does it happen?
Facial-recognition matches treated as proof instead of a lead. Blurry images and old photos run through systems with known accuracy gaps. Risk scores that influence bail, sentencing or parole.
How can I protect myself?
Support limits on police use of facial recognition and mandatory disclosure when it is used. If you are accused on the basis of an algorithm, ask a lawyer to demand the evidence behind it.
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