Researchers at the University of Chicago in the US have developed an algorithm that predicts the occurrence of crime in major cities. with 90% accuracy. Similar to what we see in the science fiction classic Minority Report, the algorithm uses temporal and geographic patterns to detect crimes a week in advance.

The researchers published the results of the study in the scientific journal Nature, one of the most influential names in academia. Despite the similarity to a Tom Cruise movie, the scientists behind the algorithm argue that crime prediction is not done the way it is in a minority report that determines the type of crime as well as the perpetrator – facts that lead to all the social discussions present in the movie.

Data that sees the future

Publicly available data on violent and property crimes are submitted to the code. Based on this information, patterns are tracked to make predictions.

The algorithm then divides the cities into equal areas of about 93 square meters, ignoring divisions such as block boundaries to eliminate socioeconomic bias in the demarcation. Sociologist James Evans, one of the co-authors of the study, commented: “Spatial models ignore the natural topology of the city. Transport networks include streets, sidewalks, rail and bus lines. Communication networks take into account areas with similar socio-economic status. our model allows us to detect these connections.”

prediction algorithm

The study also takes into account how police response varies by area. According to public data, crimes in wealthy areas lead to more arrests.

Another author of the study, Ishanu Chattopadhyay, notes that the algorithm was not designed to work, as in the minority report, which was intended to punish a person even before the alleged crime had taken place. “You can use it as a simulation tool to see what happens when a crime occurs in one area of ​​a city or when security increases in another. If you apply all these variables, you will see how the system reactsIshanu commented. In other words, the algorithm acts on the prediction of crime by identifying patterns from publicly available data on the number of crimes occurring in cities.

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Source: University of Chicago, Psyche News Daily.