ABSTRACT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) automates many aspects of urban video surveillance. Surveillance technologies are often portrayed as the caring watcher who looks out for the public. However, AI-powered surveillance can also automate biases and power imbalances. At this crossroads, can AI-powered surveillance actually be caring? This chapter responds to this question by exploring if and how AI-powered urban video surveillance can be reimagined as infrastructures of urban care in the Indian context. The chapter first reviews a set of technical literature to identify current technology development priorities behind AI-powered urban video surveillance. Subsequently, the chapter examines these priorities from a care-full justice perspective. The chapter concludes with reflections on what it takes to reimagine AI-powered urban video surveillance that upholds care-full justice. Drawing on literature from surveillance studies, critical data studies, and science and technology studies (STS), this chapter contributes to debates about responsible digital transformations of cities.
