London Mayor blocks police AI deal over high cost

The Mayor of London has halted a £50 million deal with the tech company Palantir to implement artificial intelligence in police investigations, arguing that it is not cost-effective. The head of the Metropolitan Police warns that this decision will force service cuts and the reduction of 500 officers, directly impacting public safety. Londoners will see fewer police on the streets and longer delays in solving crimes.

metropolitan police control room, large curved monitor displaying Palantir AI software interface with financial cost-benefit charts, police officer in uniform gesturing toward a half-empty street outside the glass wall, London skyline visible, fewer police cars on road, officer's hand showing empty patrol spots, desk with keyboard and blueprints of police station, cinematic photorealistic style, cold blue and grey lighting, tension in officer’s posture, technical visualization of budget constraints and resource reduction

The AI that could predict crimes is shelved 🤖

Palantir's platform, known as Gotham, allows for the analysis of large volumes of data to identify crime patterns and optimize police resources. Its use in other cities has shown reductions in response times and greater efficiency in patrol allocation. However, the Mayor considers that the £50 million cost does not justify the benefits, ignoring that the technology could have compensated for the lack of officers with predictive analysis and automation of administrative processes.

Fewer cops, more 'paperwork': London's low-cost bet 📉

Now, instead of having a system that helps solve robberies in minutes, Londoners can enjoy the nostalgia of waiting hours for an officer, with paper and pen, to take down their report. Of course, the Mayor will have saved £50 million for... no one knows exactly what. Perhaps to buy more Beware of Pickpockets signs, which are cheaper and require no maintenance.