Washington, D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and 14 other civil rights and advocacy groups sent a letter to the National Institute for Justice (NIJ) addressing the use of artificial intelligence in the criminal justice system.
The letter responds to the NIJ’s request for information to inform an upcoming report that addresses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the criminal justice system. The best practices identified in the NIJ’s forthcoming report are crucial for ensuring that any AI technologies developed, used, or funded by law enforcement agencies do not contribute to racial or other forms of discrimination.
This letter outlines recommendations to the NIJ on civil rights risks and discriminatory harms stemming from law enforcement’s use of AI. Among the key recommendations:
- Law enforcement’s use of racially discriminatory technologies, including facial recognition technology and predictive policing tools, should be prohibited.
- The use of algorithmic surveillance tools should be prohibited in public places and in any setting that could chill the exercise of First Amendment rights.
- Independent pre- and post-deployment audits of AI technologies used for law enforcement purposes should be required.
- Law enforcement use of AI technologies should be disclosed to defendants in criminal cases.
Click here to read the full sign-on letter.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].