As Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael engage in talks to form the next Irish government, the controversial issue of facial recognition technology (FRT) in policing is back in the spotlight. With plans to introduce FRT into Garda operations already on the table, this topic is expected to become a flashpoint in political and public debates in the months ahead.
Adding to the conversation, a public Think-In event titled Facing the Future: Let’s Talk Facial Recognition Technology was held recently at The Digital Hub as part of Beta Festival. Co-organised by Dr Ciara Bracken-Roche and Dr Emma Clarke of the ADAPT Research Ireland Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, the event provided a platform for experts and citizens to critically assess the potential impact of FRT on Irish society.
The session featured contributions from Daniel Kahn Gillmor, Senior Staff Technologist at the ACLU, and Olga Cronin, Senior Policy Officer at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL). Both highlighted major concerns, including the risk of bias in FRT systems, threats to personal privacy, and the broader implications for civil liberties.
Participants were invited to discuss real-world scenarios, such as using FRT to identify a vandal after a car was damaged or tracking a hit-and-run driver. These discussions revealed a complex web of ethical and practical questions about how this technology might be used responsibly, or abused, in law enforcement.
The Think-In also included Calculating Empires, an immersive research visualisation by Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler. The artwork examines how technological systems and societal structures have evolved over centuries, offering a powerful lens through which to view the modern surveillance landscape.
This debate takes place against the backdrop of significant political change. As the new government takes shape, its stance on FRT will likely signal Ireland’s broader approach to balancing technological innovation with the protection of civil rights. The issue became especially pressing last year, when the government proposed using FRT for serious crimes, including riots and violent disorder, following public disturbances in Dublin.
Supporters argue that FRT could improve Garda efficiency by speeding up video analysis in investigations, while opponents, including the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, warn of the potential for mass surveillance and errors that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. Calls for robust safeguards and comprehensive legislative scrutiny have been growing louder.
With public trust, privacy, and security at stake, the debate over facial recognition technology is certain to remain a high-profile issue as the next government sets its priorities. ADAPT researchers are at the forefront of addressing these challenges. Dr. Abeba Birhane and Dr. Ciara Bracken-Roche have made expert testimonies for the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee on Justice’s Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2023, and co-authored prominent opinion pieces warning about granting Gardaí extensive FRT capabilities risks creating “roaming surveillance units” and foreshadows “big problems” if such technology is adopted without rigorous safeguards. ADAPT’s work on trustworthy AI focuses on ensuring that emerging technologies like FRT are developed and deployed ethically, transparently, and with public trust at their core.
