Statewatch Exposes UK's Hidden AI Crime Forecast System

Details shared by Statewatch, a civil liberties group, show that this system uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze personal information from police and court records.

The goal is to identify people who might carry out serious crimes, like murder, before any of them take place.

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The system studies a large amount of real data, including mental health conditions, history of drug use, and disability status. One file pointed out that health data was seen as a factor in predicting if someone might commit a violent act.

According to Statewatch, over 100,000 people’s data was pulled from multiple databases by Greater Manchester Police. These databases have long been criticized for unfair treatment and racial bias. Statewatch obtained the records through Freedom of Information requests.

The group has called for the system’s development to stop. Sofia Lyall, one of its researchers, said the government should stop focusing on crime prediction technology and improve public support services instead. She argued that cutting welfare while spending on this kind of tool only makes things worse.

The system does not just analyze suspects. It also looks at data from victims, witnesses, and missing people. This wide net of information has raised concerns about privacy and fairness.

Recently, researchers from the UK and Canada introduced an AI tool called Aardvark Weather. What does it do? Read the full story.