Wired has revealed new details about how police officers use search tools within Flock’s software, a system that employs artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze video footage. Flock provides police with tools to search for specific vehicles, their features, and even general descriptions of people. Some tools allow officers to conduct broad searches using a “free form” query, which can look for any object or person in a video frame, though this typically requires a full camera feed rather than just license plate readers. The system also includes an “AI-powered watch list” feature that lets officers designate a specific area for continuous monitoring until a person matching a particular description, such as someone wearing scrubs, is identified. The software includes warnings that AI systems can make mistakes, similar to the disclaimers seen in other AI tools like Google’s Gemini and ChatGPT. However, the system does not provide users with a clear way to assess the accuracy of its results. Officers can rate search results based on relevance and accuracy, and these ratings are used to improve the system. Certain search terms are restricted, including those related to race, ethnicity, and religion, likely to prevent misuse or bias. Before accessing Flock’s software, users are required to agree to a disclaimer that states they are responsible for their searches and must not use the tool in illegal or harmful ways. The system also records all queries and metadata for auditing purposes. In response to public concerns about the potential misuse of its technology, Flock has taken steps such as reducing the amount of time data is stored. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure the system is only used for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Flock’s technology is widely deployed across the United States, with approximately 120,000 license plate readers and cameras in use. These systems have raised privacy concerns, as they can track the movements of individuals without their knowledge. While Flock has taken some measures to address these concerns, the company still faces pressure from both the public and state authorities to demonstrate that its technology is being used responsibly and transparently.