Publication Alert on Citizen Perceptions of Facial Recognition Technology Use

Robin Guohuibin Li, a PhD candidate in the School of Public Affairs, has recently published a groundbreaking study titled "Institutional Trustworthiness on Public Attitudes Toward Facial Recognition Technology: Evidence from US Policing" in the Government Information Quarterly. The study explores the critical relationship between institutional trustworthiness and public acceptance of AI-based Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) in five U.S. policing scenarios, including public protests and large events. Drawing on data from a 2021 nationally representative survey of 4,679 respondents, Li's research reveals that public perceptions of institutional integrity and ability significantly influence the acceptability of FRT. The study highlights that concerns around privacy are highest in the context of public protests, where the effect of institutional integrity is most pronounced. This work contributes to the growing literature on AI adoption in public entities, offering important insights for policymakers, public organizations, and the AI industry regarding the ethical deployment of FRT. Li's research challenges the assumption that privacy must be sacrificed for security and advocates for a more ethical approach to AI technology use in public services.