Concerning the Responsible Use of AI in the US Criminal Justice System

TL;DR

This paper discusses the importance of transparency and accountability in AI applications within the US criminal justice system to protect constitutional rights and ensure fairness.

Contribution

It highlights the need for transparency, explainability, and regular audits of AI systems used in justice to prevent bias and uphold procedural fairness.

Findings

AI's black box nature raises concerns about decision contestability

Transparency and explainability are essential for constitutional rights

Periodic audits can mitigate bias in AI systems

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being adopted in most industries, and for applications such as note taking and checking grammar, there is typically not a cause for concern. However, when constitutional rights are involved, as in the justice system, transparency is paramount. While AI can assist in areas such as risk assessment and forensic evidence generation, its "black box" nature raises significant questions about how decisions are made and whether they can be contested. This paper explores the implications of AI in the justice system, emphasizing the need for transparency in AI decision-making processes to uphold constitutional rights and ensure procedural fairness. The piece advocates for clear explanations of AI's data, logic, and limitations, and calls for periodic audits to address bias and maintain accountability in AI systems.