AI in Policing: Power and Peril | Spokane News

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Jul 2, 2026 · 2m

AI is transforming policing faster than the law can catch up, turning protests, body cams, and social media into vast digital archives that AI can scan in minutes—raising alarms about surveillance, bias, and the erosion of privacy. While agencies tout AI as a tool to cut paperwork and boost efficiency, critics warn it could empower unchecked power, fuel misconduct, and even let machines shape investigations without human accountability. With a patchwork of state laws and no national standard, the future of “agentic policing”—where AI generates leads or identifies suspects—looms as both…