Uncovering Terror Suspects and Tracing the Disappeared
In the federal state of Hessen, a significant development in law enforcement has taken place. Roman Poseck, the Interior Minister of Hessen and a member of the CDU party, has spearheaded the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in the surveillance of suspects and missing persons.
The pilot project for this innovative technology was launched in Frankfurt, with the Hessian Police Act being amended to lay the groundwork for its use in policing. This amendment came into force on February 2.
The AI technology is being used to evaluate surveillance camera footage in Hessen, playing a crucial role in addressing current security needs and keeping up with the times. Hessen is the first federal state in Germany to implement AI in the search for missing persons and suspected terrorists.
The use of AI in public space surveillance in Hessen is limited to the red-light district, where 50 cameras are fixed. The Police Union in Frankfurt finds AI-assisted surveillance in the red-light district to be "logical and necessary," believing it will make the crime hotspot safer.
The minister views the use of AI in policing as an "important milestone." Poseck stated that Hessen is leading the way nationwide in the use of AI in policing, with the Hessian police doing pioneering work.
However, the Green faction has challenged the AI video protection project in Frankfurt before the State Court of Justice in Wiesbaden. This project is part of the security package passed by the black-red coalition in Hessen.
Despite this legal challenge, the AI technology is being used for various purposes in Hessen, such as the search for missing persons or suspected terrorists, but only with a judicial order. The AI technology is being used in Hessen for the purpose of enhancing security measures, as part of the broader implementation of AI technology in policing.
As the use of AI in policing continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this technology shapes the future of law enforcement in Hessen and beyond.
