Collection Overview

Humanities & Social Sciences Communications has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in public safety.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping public safety by equipping law enforcement with tools for crime prevention, investigation, control and resource management. Technologies such as predictive policing algorithms, sensor networks and data analytics enhance surveillance, streamline emergency response and improve operational efficiency.

This will be a Collection of interdisciplinary research on AI applications in public safety, including areas such as predictive policing, crime forecasting, law enforcement and governance. In the spirit of exploration, we particularly welcome empirical submissions that bridge disciplinary boundaries. These should foster collaboration across criminology, sociology, computer science, law and criminal justice policy, and address diverse analytical levels and empirical contexts.

The Collection will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and  of Humanities & Social Sciences Communications more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 4th May 2026.

Why is this Collection important? 

"Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping public safety by equipping law enforcement with tools for crime prevention, investigation, control, and resource management. Technologies and applications such as predictive policing algorithms, sensor networks, and data analytics, enhance surveillance, streamline emergency response, and optimize operational efficiency.
This special issue invites contributions on the application and impact of AI, including machine learning, data mining, robotics, and autonomous systems, in public safety. Key areas of interest include predictive policing, sensor integration, crime pattern detection, and emergency response optimization. Contributions should address how institutions and policymakers can anticipate and respond to the socio-legal, ethical, and practical challenges posed by quantum-enabled AI." - Dr. Haoran Xu

Why submit to a Collection? 

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.

Who is involved? 

Guest Editors:

• Wei Lin, Southwest University of Political Science & Law, China
• Christophe Vandeviver, Ghent University, Belgium
• Haoran Xu, Southwest University of Political Science & Law, China

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Gino D'Oca, Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, UK
• Commissioning Editor: Joe Cockman, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Anthony Heron, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper? 

Visit the Collection Page to find out more about this Collection and how to submit your article.