Despite the rapid advancement of technology that could benefit communities, public safety remains a relatively traditional field, often showing hesitation in adopting innovative systems. At the same time, the technology sector tends to focus heavily on developing new tools while paying relatively little attention to the potential practical applications for real-world changes. These divergent goals, combined with broader concerns around trust in public safety agencies, has provided unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research and partnerships. These research projects and partnerships generate new technologies, new applications and inform and advance these academic areas, while helping rebuild public perceptions of law enforcement, and improving public safety. By bridging research silos and integrating diverse perspectives, we can design smarter systems, more ethical frameworks, and more resilient communities. This keynote explores how converging technologies—artificial intelligence, data analytics, social science, and public policy—can work together to strengthen public safety and community trust.

Dr. Shannon Reid is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and joint faculty in the School of Data Science. Dr. Reid received her Ph.D. in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine in 2013. Her research interests are focused on street gangs, youth violence, and the integration of technology into law enforcement. She is currently the Co-PI on a multi-year National Science Foundation funded grant developing AI based video analytics to detect anomalous behavior and provide actionable insights while preserving privacy and reducing bias. Her book Alt Right Gangs: A Hazy Shade of White, with Matthew Valasik is published by the University of California Press. Her work has been published in Criminology, the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Homicide Studies, Journal of Youth Studies, Legal and Criminal Psychology, and Deviant Behavior. Dr. Reid’s research has also received coverage in mainstream media outlets such as National Public Radio, The Conversation, The Washington Post's The Monkey Cage, and The Crime Report.