Technological opportunities and regulative restrictions - Dilemmas in using AI in law enforcement practices

Research problem and specific questionsAI refers to a constellation of technologies, including machine learning, pattern recognition, reasoning and language processing.

Recent technical advancements, especially in areas such as facial recognition and generative AI are expected to have high impact on many social and economic domains.

There are high expectations that AI will contribute to increased efficiency for law enforcement authorities and a strong political will to facilitate the use of new technology.

At the same time, a changing regulatory landscape is emerging with both new powers for law enforcement authorities, as well as new restrictive legal space, not least through the AI regulation that is planned to be introduced early next year with the aim of regulating the use of AI within the EU.

The project´s purpose is to investigate how law enforcement authorities navigate and balance their extended mandate to use AI in relation to emerging policy and regulations.

The following questions will be investigated: 1) What consequences does the fast development of AI capabilities have for the organisation of law enforcement practices? 2) What challenges and dilemmas arise in the borderland between technological possibilities and the emerging regulatory landscape? 3) How are these challenges being addressed at the policy, management and field level?Data and methodTheoretically, we draw on institutional theory and affordance theory.

The project is designed as a qualitative study based on document studies, in-depth interviews and policy labs.

Societal relevance and utilisation Our project coincides well with the introduction of the AI Act for law enforcement as well as recent legislative changes that have provided Swedish law enforcement agencies with extended mandate to use AI, with expectations of more effective law enforcement.

The project´s results are expected to provide a valuable knowledge contribution for decision-makers, law enforcement personnel and citizens.

In addition, the project´s findings will also inform policy-making and governance around these current issues.Plan for project realisation The multi-disciplinary project runs for three years and four researchers participate, from the disciplines informatic, law, sociology and work science.

During the project period, we carry out empirical studies where we use qualitative methods and develop a theoretical framework.