Artificial Intelligence Toolkit

Empowering police to leverage artificial intelligence, while retaining public trust.

Toolkit for Responsible AI Innovation in Law Enforcement

The situation

In recent years we have seen a leap forward in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as computer vision, image processing, machine learning, natural language processing and speech recognition. These fast-developing technologies have become embedded in society and are already widely used in our daily lives.

AI also has huge potential to support the work of law enforcement agencies, who have taken their first steps with AI tools in the past decade. Examples of areas where AI is successfully used by law enforcement include automatic patrol systems, identification of vulnerable and exploited children, and in police emergency call centres.

However, while AI opens up many possibilities for law enforcement, it also raises questions related to human rights, civil liberties, and ethics. Law enforcement agencies need operational guidance and a robust legal framework that ensure a balance between security and privacy.

Project aims

INTERPOL and UNICRI, with financial support from the European Commission, are working together to develop the necessary guidance and support through the creation of a Toolkit for Responsible AI Innovation in Law Enforcement.

The Toolkit will offer practical guidelines for the development, procurement and deployment of AI, ensuring it is used in the most appropriate and responsible way and that citizens’ rights are protected.

Law enforcement agencies across the world will be able to access the knowledge and resources needed to tap into the positive potential of AI, make informed decisions, and reduce possible related risks.

While law enforcement agencies are the primary target audience for the project, many different stakeholders play an important role in promoting responsible AI in law enforcement. As a result, the resources developed as part of the Toolkit will also cater for and be available to other stakeholders, including industry, academia, civil society and the general public.

Project activities

The Project will research, develop and publish the Toolkit for Responsible AI Innovation in Law Enforcement.

The Toolkit will contain, amongst others, the following resources:

1) Guidance documents:

Introductory Guide to AI for Law Enforcement
Principles for Responsible Use of AI in Law Enforcement
Organizational Roadmap for Implementing Responsible AI

2) Interactive tools:

Organizational Readiness Assessment for Responsible AI
Responsible AI in Action Tool
AI Risk Assessment Tool

3) Target audience-specific briefs

The AI Toolkit Core Group, comprised of experts from law enforcement, industry, academia and other international organizations supports INTERPOL and UNICRI in developing the Toolkit and meets regularly to review and advise on the progress of the Toolkit content.

During the development process, in depth consultations will additionally be held with representatives from law enforcement agencies, industry, academia, judiciary and prosecutors, and human rights experts.

In parallel, members of the public will be invited to contribute to this process.

Validation of the Toolkit by law enforcement is an essential step. Agencies with an interest in the topic will be invited to test the resources developed for utility and completeness.

The Toolkit will form the basis of a training curriculum focused on responsible AI in law enforcement. Pilot national training courses for law enforcement will be also organized to assist in the practical application of the guidance.