PROBabLE Futures – Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement Futures

AI based technologies can deliver measurable benefits for law enforcement organisations, helping to tackle data overload, identify previously unknown risks, and increase operational efficiencies. There are however significant challenges to achieving ‘responsible’ AI in this context, due to differing data quality, sensitivity and high levels of uncertainty raising questions over the interpretation of probabilistic outcomes. Attention must be paid to the chaining of systems and cumulative effects of multiple AI systems feeding into each other. Our ambition is for deployment of AI within law enforcement and criminal justice to be seen as one consistent system, with the interests of justice and responsibility at its heart. We will explore what ‘responsible’ means for probabilistic AI across the law enforcement landscape (intelligence, investigation, prosecution, sentencing, probation, oversight), determining the technical, operational, legal, ethical and societal implications of the development, deployment and governance of ‘responsible’ AI. To realise our vision, we will draw on multiple perspectives, including from law enforcement and commercial partners, and apply lessons learned from prior technological developments. We will use innovative research techniques such a mock trial involving AI outputs as evidence. Our key output will be a future-oriented framework for responsible AI in law enforcement and criminal justice.

The project draws on multiple perspectives, including from law enforcement and commercial partners, and lessons learned from prior technological developments. We will use innovative research techniques such a mock trial involving AI outputs as evidence to develop a future-oriented framework for responsible AI in law enforcement and criminal justice.