At the International Association of Chiefs of Police Technology Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, technology companies marketed a wide range of artificial intelligence tools designed to automate routine law enforcement tasks. The products showcased included facial-recognition cameras, automated licence plate readers, drones, gunshot detection platforms, non-emergency 911 chatbots, body cameras, and report-writing tools. Vendors pitched the systems as a means to let software manage administrative busywork so officers can focus on higher-priority duties. However, automating routine procedures such as completing reports and reviewing suspect histories carries significant consequences for the public as decision-making is increasingly handed over to algorithms. Tech startups are positioning these AI platforms as centralised digital control systems capable of processing vast amounts of surveillance data collected by police forces.

Background: AI and Body-Worn Cameras

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