May 2024
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This conference discussed digitisation and the use of AI technology in the criminal justice system.
It was an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to assess how AI deployment across the system may impact the roles of the police, civil servants and legal professionals, employment and skills development, the day-to-day running of services, and criminal justice outcomes.
We expected discussion to reflect key issues emerging from:
- plans for service improvement outlined in the Ministry of Justice’s Digital Strategy
- the House of Lords’ AI technology and the justice system report, which cited both potential benefits to legal productivity and decision-making as well as risks to civil liberties, and called for the establishment of minimum standards and training
- the principles of safety, fairness, transparency and accountability put forward in the Government’s A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation white paper
Discussion considered the role of AI technologies in supporting policing and court services, including opportunities to increase both access to justice and efficiency of decision-making throughout the justice system, and strategies for effective and fair utilisation.
Delegates assessed how key challenges could be addressed, including determining where the human-machine interfaces lie in different contexts, concerns over algorithmic biases and differences in human judgement, and protecting human rights and civil liberties.
Further sessions examined the use of AI more widely in government and public services in areas related to the criminal justice system, including how effectively government is maximising opportunities and mitigating risks - which is the subject of an NAO study.
Delegates also looked at international comparisons of AI integration, as the EU moves to create the first comprehensive regulatory framework for AI as part of its digital strategy.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Mike Freer MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Courts and Legal Services, Ministry of Justice; Megan Lee Devlin, Director General for Service Delivery Transformation, Ministry of Justice; Ruth Kelly, Chief Analyst, National Audit Office; Phil Bowen, Director, Centre for Justice Innovation; and Professor Penney Lewis, Commissioner for Criminal Law, Law Commission.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from CMA; CPS; HMCTS; HMPPS; MOJ; NCA; DWP; HSE; DBT; DLUHC; DfT; DSIT; Dstl; DVSA; Education Scotland; GLD; HMRC; Home Office; ICO; NAO; Ofcom; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
