Review of emerging technologies in policing: findings and recommendations

Appendix 1: Emerging Technologies and Analytical Framework for Emerging Technologies

Defining Emerging Technologies: Some Thoughts

The term ‘emerging technologies’ has gained traction in recent years in different public service and policy environments. Use of the term is quite fluid, in that it is used in relation to a range of technologies, usually digital technologies, and in a number of different contextual settings. In the context of policing, many of these emerging technologies facilitate new information flows in and around the institutions of policing, and in doing so impact on internal structures and citizen-police interactions. Examples of emerging technologies in policing would include: Automatic Face Recognition (AFR), Body-Worn Video (BWV) Cameras, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Profiling and Drones.

Text-Book definition

The term emerging technologies is generally used to describe a new technology, but it may also refer to the evolution of an existing technology, and it can have different meanings when used in different areas, such as media, business, science, or public services. The term commonly refers to technologies that are currently developing, or that are expected to be implemented in the next five to ten years, and is usually reserved for technologies that are creating, or are expected to create, significant social, institutional or economic impacts.

Emerging digital technologies are usually perceived to offer new business and service opportunities, whilst at the same time posing challenges to existing ways of doing things, these include legal and ethical challenges, and for digital technologies these often relate to data processes and data protection. For public services, such as those agencies involved in policing policy and practice, such data processes are likely to involve the personal data of citizens and will have a bearing on citizen-state relations.

When thinking about what constitutes an emerging technology there are some important definitional issues to consider:

The Nature of the Technology

Emerging technologies in contemporary discourse are usually assumed to be digital technologies supporting new information flows embedded in new information and communication technologies (ICTs). In this respect, such technologies involve data, including personal data, and data flows. Whilst emerging technologies may be defined by their digital component, they do not have to be exclusively digital and can comprise of other elements, including physical features. Philosophically, any physical artefact can be considered a technology, from the humble pencil through to satellite weaponry.

Technological Components of Emerging Technologies

Emerging technologies are usually a configuration of a range of technological artifacts and are not really a single technology. For example, a surveillance camera system would include a camera, a network, monitors, and recording and storage equipment. As such, and emerging technology is really an assemblage of different components. So, when we talk about an emergent technology, we are not necessarily talking about the individual components of the technology, but often their combined integration into a new ‘technology’ or application. BWV is a good example of this. The emergent technology may derive from the convergence of a number of technological developments including: computerisation, miniaturisation and/or enhanced technological capability/capacity.

The Emergent Aspect of Emerging Technologies

Given that emerging technologies comprise of a number of different components it is unsurprising to suggest that not all of the components are new or emerging and many have been in existence for a number of years. The emergent element of these technologies is their combination into a new application or artefact, or their introduction into a new service area. Looking beyond the technical artefact, emerging technologies can also be considered emergent, in that they facilitate emerging new informational relationships and ways of working. So, it may not be the technology that is new, but its introduction into a new service area, and the impacts that the technology has in that service area. Alternatively, it may be the case that an emergent technology has existed for many years, but that a new application has become envisioned that had not previously been foreseen.

The Point of Emergence

Emerging technologies are often at a different point of emergence. Some may be envisioned, but not yet in existence, others in development, or being trialled, whilst others are at the point of implementation, yet are still considered to be emerging. There is a body of academic work around innovation theory and cycles, and technological maturity. It may be that an emerging technology has been around for years, but that it has only recently diffused into a specific service setting.

Implications and Consequences

By definition, the full impact and consequences associated with the use of emergent technologies is not known and the implication of their use is uncertain and ambiguous. There may be perceived benefits of their use that do not materialise, or unintended consequences that do. Moreover, sometimes the visions bestowed on technologies by their advocates, in terms of what they will deliver, does not emerge in practice.

Analytical Framework for Emerging Technologies

A simple analytical framework can be devised to take account of the above points and to draw out the key features of an emerging technology.

Analytical Framework for Emerging Technologies