Can AI-Powered Cameras Really Make Neighborhoods Safer?

Jamie Siminoff, the founder of Ring, is back at the helm with a bold vision: using AI to drastically reduce crime. He believes that with the right technology, neighborhoods can become much safer places. One of the new features he’s excited about is the AI-powered Search Party, which helps find lost pets by scanning footage from nearby Ring cameras. If a dog is spotted, the camera owner gets a notification and can choose to share the footage. But Siminoff’s ambitions go beyond just finding lost pets. He envisions AI playing a much bigger role in crime prevention. He thinks that with AI, Ring cameras could become a powerful tool in stopping crime before it happens. This idea isn’t new—it’s been explored in sci-fi stories for years. The question is, can it work in real life? Siminoff left Amazon a few years ago, but he’s now convinced that AI has advanced enough to make a big difference. He believes that within a year or two, AI could help reduce crime to nearly zero in average neighborhoods. However, not everyone agrees. Research doesn’t always support the idea that video doorbells prevent crime, but Siminoff is confident that AI changes the game. Another big part of Siminoff’s plan is rebuilding Ring’s relationship with law enforcement. He wants police to be able to ask Ring users to share their videos anonymously. He thinks this is a good idea and dismisses concerns as misinformation. But civil rights groups see it differently, raising questions about privacy and surveillance. Ring has come a long way from being just a smart doorbell. It’s now part of a larger private surveillance network, and Siminoff shares more about this transformation in his upcoming book. The idea of using AI to make neighborhoods safer is intriguing, but it also raises important questions about privacy and the role of technology in our daily lives.