Total ban or responsible use? A policy survey to better regulate the use of AI-powered video surveillance in law enforcement in the European Union

Abstract

AI-powered video surveillance is a heated issue in the European Union which has given rise to a very polarised debate. On the one hand, proponents advocate for its ability to make cities safer and better protect people. On the other hand, opponents are concerned about the technology's threat to fundamental rights and individual freedoms, such as the right to privacy or fear of the risk of discrimination. European institutions have started attempts at regulating the technology but have so far been struggling with the development of a broad regulation that accounts for the diversity of applications found in AI-powered video surveillance, protects citizens, and encourages innovation at the same time. This dissertation therefore investigates how to implement responsible use of AI-powered video surveillance for predictive policing purposes. To do so, the analysis is divided into two parts which correspond to the two main branches of application of AI-powered video surveillance: object-centred and person-centred AI-powered video surveillance. It first uses securitisation theory to situate the debate. Next, it uses Document Analysis and coding to analyse the qualitative data. The qualitative data encompasses policy and technical documents to allow for a nuanced approach to the issue that accounts for the...