Dülger Law Office/Publications/Article
Prevention of Discrimination in the Practices of Predictive Policing
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI)—driven regulations become increasingly prevalent in the field of law. In this context, the predictive policing practices used in detecting and preventing the potential criminality emerge. In the practices of predictive policing, basically, the data on the crimes committed in the past (such as the setting of the crimes—place and time, perpetrator and victim) are analyzed by algorithms, and a risk assessment regarding the commission of a new crime is conducted. Within the framework of the conducted risk assessment, the police take the necessary precautions to prevent the criminality. The use of AI in the practices of predictive policing creates an impression that risk assessment and its results are independent of human bias.
On the contrary, AI algorithms involve the biases of the people who design the algorithms. In addition, the data analyzed by algorithms are not free from the biases of societies and class inequalities, either. Therefore, the practices of predictive policing are also likely to reflect discriminatory thoughts and practices of both individuals and societies. To prevent this situation, the practices of predictive policing should be critically examined, and possible solutions should be discussed. In this study, the side of predictive policing practices which is prone to discrimination will be examined, and the steps that can be taken to protect minorities and vulnerable groups in society will be discussed.