SenseTime and Public Safety

Cities and countries already have begun to deploy AI and ML technologies for public safety and security. On one hand machine learning applications in image and video recognition can help law enforcement officials in detecting criminal activities and efficiently prevent acts that endanger public safety. On the other hand, without thoughtful safeguards, the misuse of these technologies by law enforcement poses sobering human rights risks. Using SenseTime as a case study, this article discusses how China's most valuable AI company, SenseTime, has partnered with government authorities to accelerate product development, why its partnership with the Chinese state is potentially problematic, and how the company can safeguard itself from the misuse of its product.

Shoot the Video, Not Me

Social media spurred national outrage at the police killing of Mike Brown in 2014, which in turn sparked a movement mandating the police force to wear body cameras while on duty. Results have been mixed, but the jury is still out on how the digitization of police operations will change the culture of policing for years to come.