Source: Texas Observer

Texas Observer reveals that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has significantly expanded its use of artificial intelligence tools for surveillance and law enforcement purposes. The article details how AI-driven systems such as facial recognition, behavioral analysis, and license plate tracking are increasingly being integrated into statewide security operations. Civil liberties groups and some lawmakers have raised serious concerns about the implications for privacy, discrimination, and lack of oversight.

The state legislature is currently reviewing proposed measures that would either curb or further regulate the use of such technologies. The article also describes the opaque procurement processes behind the AI tools, highlighting the involvement of private tech vendors with limited public accountability. Lawmakers are debating whether AI-based tools can be considered reliable and unbiased, especially in contexts involving racial profiling and pre-crime analytics.