Police work with artificial or artificial intelligence (AI). Theo van der Plas is portfolio holder and program director of Digitalization and Cybercrime at the police. He talks about the dilemmas and opportunities presented by this new technology.
Van der Plas: "It is impossible to imagine our lives without artificial intelligence. AI is everywhere, in all sectors: from business to healthcare. And thus also in police work. We use AI for a variety of applications. For example, to find relevant information for investigative investigations. AI can help recognize patterns in large amounts of data. If we have managed to intercept chat traffic between criminals, AI helps analyze that communication through pattern recognition. That allows us to gather evidence faster and track down suspects sooner. We are experimenting with AI in a way where we are extremely conscious and careful about the limits of freedom, security, privacy and ethics."
Van der Plas: "Data science, deep learning, machine learning: these are all terms from the digital world that are familiar to us. It couldn't be otherwise, because unknown would make unloved. While we need technologies like AI. That is why we are working hard to bring digital expertise in-house and collaborate with science in order to move with us in a digitally transforming world. In the future, AI can also help preventively with stalking or counterterrorism, for example. By doing risk identification as well as possible, we can discover relevant signals and act accordingly."
Van der Plas: "Criminals are getting better at exploiting the possibilities of technologies such as AI. Phishing emails, for example, can be more easily forged in a way that is almost indistinguishable from real messages. AI is also being used for other forms of scams, such as voice mimicking. In addition, there is a danger in working with AI for ourselves. It works on the basis of algorithms and thus makes predictions. There is a risk of making questionable assumptions. Think of what went wrong with the surcharge affair. Therefore, the deployment of AI requires that we remain aware and interpret data and outcomes properly. The biggest danger is that we are dealing with a development that is going too fast. Experts are calling for better regulation and regulation. This year's cybersecurity picture outlined by the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV(link to other website)) is not for nothing called, "Expect the unexpected." This is why we take all scenarios into account and prepare as well as we can. We invest heavily in knowledge, development and experimentation."
'Making our people digitally proficient is indispensable in the movement toward a digitally transformed organization.' - Theo van der Plas
Van der Plas: "In the police we are dealing with a delicate balance between security and freedom. We want to protect citizens as well as possible and make our society as safe as possible, but that requires that society also entrust us with sensitive information. Information about individuals helps us track down suspects. Privacy and ethics are very important here. For example, we use facial comparison but not facial recognition. Under the Open Government Act, we have a duty to make our work as transparent as possible. The information we share with the public is also information that criminals can capitalize on. Exactly that is that delicate balance between security and freedom that we as police are constantly dealing with."
Van der Plas: "For years we have been exploring the possibilities of AI. This is because it is an inseparable part of the larger development towards a digitally transformed organization. For example, we have an AI lab where we explore the possibilities under the supervision of scientists. We also organize ethics tables: this is how we facilitate the crucial conversation throughout the organization about the complex interplay of AI, ethics and privacy. In addition, each unit has a unit representative on digital transformation, and many police stations already have a digital room. In a digi-room, an expert on digital development works. With this we want to bring digital development for colleagues literally within reach.
We offer colleagues many opportunities to stay current and learn digitally. From e-learnings to training courses and webinars. Making our people digitally proficient is indispensable in the movement toward a digitally transformed organization. That is why we are also working hard on updated basic police education. Digital skills are also becoming a bigger part of policing in our education. I think it's great to see that the interest in this area often already comes naturally to the younger generation entering our organization."
