Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has dismissed concerns about the expanded use of Artificial Intelligence in policing, arguing that the force must embrace technology to keep pace with criminals. Speaking at a City Hall summit, he said there is 'no other option' but to adopt AI, as the Met faces declining officer numbers and increasing digital evidence.
Current safeguards deemed sufficient
Rowley told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that existing regulations, including GDPR, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, provide adequate protection. 'There is so much regulation already around data, human rights, surveillance. I don't think we're lacking regulation. There's plenty of that to protect the citizen,' he said.
The Commissioner highlighted that Londoners' primary concern is whether the police can keep up with criminals technologically, not overreach. 'The bigger risk... is that they worry about [whether] the police can keep up with them on technology - not whether we're overusing it,' he added.
AI in action: reducing review time
The Met currently uses AI to process images from around one million CCTV cameras across London. Early use in serious crime investigations has already reduced review time by the equivalent of 454 officer days, freeing up resources and accelerating investigations.
Rowley warned that without technology, the Met would fall behind sophisticated criminals. 'The world is changing fast, and our ability to catch criminals is degrading because the technology is available to them,' he said. 'We either put fewer people in prison or use technology to help keep pace with the world around us.'
Critics demand legislative framework
However, Green Party Assembly Member Benali Hamdache disputed Rowley's claims. 'He's wrong. We heard crystal clear today that there isn't a framework, there's a lack of clarity, and we already have examples of the police misusing this technology,' Hamdache said. He cited West Midlands Police's use of Microsoft's Copilot, which hallucinated intelligence leading to an incorrect ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.
Labour Assembly Member Marina Ahmad, who hosted the summit, stressed the need for public trust. 'The most important thing for me is that the legislative framework is a reassurance for people... We don't want things being done to people, we need to bring people along,' she said.
Rowley calls for common sense
Rowley urged Assembly Members to encourage faster adoption of AI rather than hold back over ethical concerns. 'The only way we will have a competitive advantage in protecting Londoners is going to be relying on technology,' he said. He argued that the public shares this vision, citing surveys showing worry about police falling behind criminals.
Rowley previously opposed waiting for new legislation before rolling out technology, stating last month: 'If every time a new capability emerges... we have to wait for new legislation before we use it, we will fail. We cannot legislate for every incremental development in technology.'
