TULSA, Oklahoma. Technology has changed the way we live our lives and plan our days. In recent years, technology has had an impact on how police patrol cities and how criminals are sentenced to jail. More cities in recent years have been using artificial intelligence to determine which areas of a city might be more likely to have higher crime rates and to determine which criminals might be more likely to act again.
According to one writer for the New York Times, artificial intelligence works by taking large amounts of information and making inferences based upon it. Oftentimes, the inferences are simplifications of complex ideas and concepts.
For example, when local law enforcement agencies use artificial intelligence to determine where police should patrol city streets, officers are often feeding historical data into artificial intelligence programs. In cities where there might have been a history of racial profiling, the conclusions these artificial intelligence programs reach can be similarly biased. More police might be sent to patrol Black, Latino, and minority neighborhoods, not because they are more likely to see crime, but because of historical rates of arrest based on bias.
Artificial intelligence might sell itself as being unbiased. It takes the data and offers solutions, right? But when the data reflects pervasive racism and stereotypes, problems in A.I. results could be overlooked.
Artificial intelligence programs are also used during sentencing. The programs take a person’s history and produce a risk-assessment that some judges use. According to Wired, these algorithms give judges a risk score of whether a person might be more likely to commit a crime or less likely to appear in court on his or her court date. In fact, one person was given a long sentence because a proprietary program called Compass determined that he was a high risk. Because the program is owned by a private company, neither the man nor his lawyer were permitted to assess how the man’s sentence was determined.
For example, factors like a person’s socioeconomic status or their residence in a minority community might be taken into account in risk assessment. This could lead to serious bias, and essentially could amount to racial or economic profiling.
So, what can you do if you are facing charges? For one, consider speaking to the qualified Tulsa, Oklahoma criminal defense lawyers at the Henson Law Firm, P.L.L.C. Our firm can review the factors of your arrest, determine whether your arrest was legal, and review the evidence gathered against you. Too many people plead guilty to crimes they did not commit, unaware that the state’s evidence against them is poor at best. A criminal defense lawyer can review your case and help you understand the best course forward. Misdemeanor or felony charges can have an immense impact on your ability to get a job, enjoy government benefits, and receiving certain types of housing. The impact of a conviction on your record can be serious. Visit https://myoklahomadefenselawyer.com/ today to protect yourself. You are innocent until proven guilty.
