South Korean AI system for predictive policing and surveillance raises concerns
South Korean scientists developed an AI system called Dejaview that analyzes video footage to predict crimes in real time with reported accuracy over 82 percent, raising concerns about surveillance and potential bias in predictive policing. Seoul plans to deploy over 10,000 AI-equipped cameras by 2026, with a commercial version planned for late 2025.
What happened
South Korean scientists at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) developed an AI system called Dejaview that analyzes video footage to assess crime risks in real time.
The system learns from prior video footage, behavioral patterns and statistics, analyzes public behavior and compares it to criminal behavior. Dejaview can also differentiate between types of crimes.
The system can monitor individuals to analyze their behavior in depth to prevent recidivism. ETRI plans to release a commercial version by late 2025. Seoul plans to install over 10,000 high-resolution cameras with AI by 2026, in addition to over 160,000 existing security cameras.
Reported impact
According to experts, during testing the model predicted several crimes with accuracy over 82 percent.
Index analysis
The system's reliance on training data from prior video footage and behavioral statistics raises concerns about potential bias, as crime data may reflect historical enforcement patterns and socioeconomic disparities rather than actual crime occurrence.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.