UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

I will explore issues in the field of cognitive science, specifically ethical issuessurrounding cognitive science research that has malicious purposes and intent. To be moreprecise, how does police funding into artificial intelligence (AI) research fuel and reinforcestereotypes and attitudes towards communities of color?The purpose is to follow intentions for AI cognitive science research in policesurveillance and crime prevention. Bias against communities of color is maintained in AI systems which damages the lives of people of color. It is a significant ethical issue because AI is a relatively new technology previously adopted by police departments with negative implicationssuch as implicit bias from harmful stereotypes. (Maerowitz 2020) From there, we can analyze the intentions behind the financial resources and the uses ofthe research. This technology can change the very foundations of society, for good or bad. A review of the literature will help us understand the behind-the-scenes areas of AI research. This literature review will clarify misconceptions of AI and provide transparency for communities ofcolor. It can also create awareness within cognitive scientists for the impacts of the research.