Avon and Somerset Police in south-west England are trialling an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system to assist in solving old cases, potentially reducing decades of detective work to just a few hours. This initiative, reported by Sky News, could significantly impact how cold cases are handled.
The system, called Soze and developed in Australia, analyzes emails, social media posts, videos, financial statements, and other documents. However, concerns about the accuracy of this platform remain, as AI models often produce incorrect results or fabricated information.
AI’s Potential in Law Enforcement
According to Sky News, the AI analyzed evidence from 27 “complex” cases in approximately 30 hours, which is equivalent to 81 years of human labor. Such impressive efficiency has drawn the interest of law enforcement, especially since they often face personnel and budget constraints.
Gavin Stevens, the head of the National Council of Police Chiefs of Great Britain, expressed optimism about the system’s potential, stating, “You can have a case that seems unsolvable because of the sheer volume of material. By uploading it to such a system, you will receive a grade. I think it can be very useful.”
Accuracy and Bias Concerns in AI Policing
Despite the optimism around using AI tools, experts emphasize the importance of verifying their accuracy. AI in law enforcement is prone to errors and can produce false results. For instance, one model designed to predict the likelihood of reoffending was found to be inaccurate and biased against black people.
NIXSolutions adds that the US Civil Rights Commission recently criticized the use of AI in police work due to the risks of error and bias. We’ll keep you updated on further developments as AI’s role in law enforcement continues to evolve.