Front and Back Covers, Volume 40, Number 5. October 2024

Front and back cover caption, volume 40 issue 5

ALGORITHMIC POLICING & AI

This image captures Roberto J. González's exploration of algorithmic policing in America in this issue. Cameras survey a stylized urban landscape, symbolizing the pervasive reach of artificial intelligence in modern law enforcement.

González examines various technologies of surveillance: predictive policing platforms, facial recognition software and acoustic gunshot detection systems. Its algorithmic composition hints at the complex mathematical models underpinning these tools, which claim to forecast crime and identify potential offenders.

Below, the cityscape appears as a mix of physical structures and data points, blurring the line between the tangible world and its digital representation. This visual metaphor represents the technologies that are reshaping our understanding of urban spaces, often reinforcing existing patterns of surveillance and control in marginalized communities.

The ominous tone and starkness of the image echo the article's critical perspective on the unchecked expansion of algorithmic policing. The article raises questions about privacy, consent, and the potential for these systems to amplify biases and errors in law enforcement decisions.

The human stories behind these technologies – from wrongful arrests to community distrust – are often obscured by promises of efficiency and safety. This reminds us of the need for anthropological scrutiny of these roboprocesses and their impact on social fabrics.

The unseen digital infrastructure is increasingly shaping policing practices, reshaping the landscape of public safety and surveillance in America and beyond. This raises important questions about how venture capital, tech startups, and law enforcement agencies are transforming traditional notions of policing and civil liberties in the digital age.

Back cover caption, volume 40 issue 5

HANDS OF CHANGE: FARMER IDENTITY

This image of the weathered hands of a farmer, cradling rich soil, encapsulates the complex reality of modern European agriculture explored in Eimear Mc Loughlin's article. These hands, which have long symbolized the deep connection between farmers and the land they cultivate, now tell a more nuanced story of an identity in flux.

According to Mc Loughlin, the traditional image of the farmer is vanishing because of new pressures that are becoming more intense. These hands, once primarily engaged in the tactile work of cultivating crops and tending to animals bred for food, now increasingly grapple with spreadsheets, regulatory paperwork and the invisible constraints of global markets. The soil they hold represents not just the promise of growth, but also the weight of environmental concerns, stringent regulations and societal expectations.

Yet, this image also speaks to the enduring essence of farming that persists despite these challenges. It reminds us of the irreplaceable role farmers play in our food systems and national identities, even as their traditional image evolves. The rich soil suggests the potential for renewal and adaptation, mirroring Mc Loughlin's call for a reimagined agricultural future.

As Europe's farmers protest and struggle with their changing identity, this image reminds us of what is at stake. It challenges us to consider how we can support a transition to sustainable farming that reflects the hands-on work symbolized here while addressing pressing environmental and economic realities. In doing so, we might forge a path where the figure of the farmer does not disappear but evolves, maintaining that crucial connection to the land while navigating the complexities of modern agriculture.