The IJIS Institute, in partnership with the Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience at Rutgers University and the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute, launches the Center of Excellence on Artificial Intelligence for Justice, Public Safety, and Security (JPSS)

ASHBURN, Va., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The IJIS Institute – a nonprofit collaboration network dedicated to promoting and enabling technology in the public sector to maximize safety, efficiency, and productivity across multiple public-sector domains – in partnership with the Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience at Rutgers University, and the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute – announces the launch of the Center of Excellence (COE) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Justice, Public Safety, and Security (JPSS).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already transforming every sector of society, fundamentally reshaping how we protect our citizens. However, failing to responsibly adopt and effectively integrate AI capabilities could significantly undermine justice, public safety, and national security.

AI is rapidly becoming integral to the justice, public safety, and security professions, enhancing efficiency and accuracy while reducing the time spent on administrative tasks. Technology companies continue to innovate, developing streamlined workflows and more efficient solutions for law enforcement professionals. As AI continues to evolve and advance, so will the products offered to law enforcement practitioners. The justice, public safety, and security professionals needs to adapt and embrace these technologies as AI integration expands worldwide.

As agencies increase their use of AI, it is crucial that they do so in a way that maximizes the benefits of this powerful technology while sidestepping potential pitfalls. These are not plug-and-play tools. Successfully deploying AI/ML requires numerous considerations, such as: acquiring the right technology, training staff effectively, and addressing cultural impediments through active change management. Currently, there is no place for the justice and public safety agencies and the private sector who serve this mission to seek guidance and validate the efficacy of AI-based solutions and associated capabilities.

To help JPSS agencies better prepare to implement AI-based capabilities, and the private sector develop fully vetted solutions, the Center of Excellence will provide expertise on the responsible and ethical use of AI in justice, public safety, and security. This expertise will be delivered by leveraging our extensive network of partners across the public and private sectors, as well as academia, to enhance operational efficiencies and support informed decision-making.

The solutions and services offered by this Center of Excellence will include:

• Training and Technical Assistance – Deliver Public Sector executive training to impart mastery of effective strategies, policies and plans for AI implementation.
• Technical Advisory – Assess the current technology environment to identify short and long-term needs, along with the creation of AI implementation roadmaps.
• Policy Analysis and Development – Conduct a detailed evaluation of existing and proposed policies, acts, or legislation related to AI. Assist in creating or updating policies to ensure conformance with ethical standards and responsible use, while addressing security and privacy concerns.
• Solution Assessment and Development – Leverage a dedicated lab environment to rigorously test and validate algorithms and models, ensuring their effectiveness and reliability. Additionally, provides a venue for solution providers to develop tailored solutions based on operational goals and help take them to the market.
• Program Management – Deliver expert guidance for navigating complex AI programs, complemented by project management support based on established and proven methodologies to ensure efficient execution and success.

Implementing AI-based capabilities in the JPSS mission area is inherently complex and requires a comprehensive strategy. This approach must provide a global framework for implementation while addressing the unique needs and specific nuances of individual communities. The AI Center of Excellence (COE) delivers this essential balance, offering a robust and adaptable approach to responsible AI integration.

According to Maria M. Cardiellos, Executive Director of IJIS “There is no more significant innovation nor wave of change within our JPSS community than that of Artificial Intelligence. To ensure realization of operational mission goals within this COI requires a responsible, ethical and methodical approach to assessment, refinement and ultimate implementation of potential solutions within these agencies. We are proud to spearhead the constitution of this AI Center of Excellence to best support the Justice, Public Safety, and Security community goals, and look forward to collaborating with our partners.”

According to Paul Goldenberg heading the initiative for the Rutgers Miller Center Police ranks are depleted. Tenured officers have left in droves. Qualified recruits are hard to come by. Budgets are slashed. Criminals have gone high tech. We have little doubt that artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies will the void.

According to Peter Lambrinakos, Director of the Public Safety Program at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute, “The AI Center of Excellence stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing the complex challenges faced by justice, public safety, and security professionals. By uniting expertise from academia, government, and industry, we are creating a resource that not only advances the responsible integration of AI but also ensures it aligns with the ethical and operational needs of diverse communities. I am honored to contribute to this transformative initiative as we work to build safer, more resilient systems for the future.”

Media Contact

Ashwini Jarral, IJIS Institute, 1 7037261902, ashwini.jarral@ijis.org, https://ijis.org/

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SOURCE IJIS Institute