Artificial Intelligence Could Soon Enhance Real-Time Police Surveillance

Companies are working with departments to develop body cameras that could identify faces in real time; privacy groups fear loss of anonymity

CHICAGO—Several technology companies are working with police departments across the U.S. to develop the capability to add artificial intelligence to video surveillance and body cameras that could identify faces in real time, potentially expanding the reach of police surveillance.

The body-camera technology, expected to be ready by the fall, hasn’t yet been purchased by police departments and is still in the development stage. Police departments, including the New York Police Department, already use facial recognition to review...