Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive modeling in policing could herald in a transformative era, offering never before possible multifaceted opportunities to augment capabilities across police domains. The scope of AI advantages extends far beyond what’s highlighted here, promising a paradigm shift in the ways police agencies operate. Embracing technological evolution, with human oversight, stands to empower police agencies with significantly advanced methodologies, paving the way for more efficient and effective public service. AI offers very real possibilities for integrated or multidimensional solutions to persistent policing challenges and threats. Both the European Union (EU) and the United States are pursuing structure and transparency for the use of AI. The EU is ushering in binding rules on transparency and ethics as well as AI regulations, identifying degrees of risk and allocation of responsibilities, with police exceptions.¹ The United States released guidance through a presidential executive order at about the same time.²

Police leaders are encouraged to become knowledgeable about their agency’s use of AI. They should know where AI is used in their agency and be able to explain its use in any application. Regardless of AI uses, the assignment of humans with authority and responsibility for AI outputs should be considered mandatory, thereby enhancing human outputs and the use of AI specifically to create or develop a series of “leads” or “best practices.”

A comprehensive AI strategy spans critical aspects focused on public trust, officer wellness, traffic safety, and prevention of all types of violence. AI solutions on the horizon appear to be offering benefits in reducing agency risks in many facets of policing. This technology has great potential to bolster accountability, transparency, and public trust in a police force.