Overview

• The UK Ministry of Justice is developing an AI-based tool to assess the risk of individuals committing homicide, using historical data from convicted offenders.
• Originally named the 'homicide prediction project,' the initiative has been rebranded to 'sharing data to improve risk assessment' to reflect its focus on research.
• Critics, including Statewatch, allege that sensitive data from individuals not convicted of crimes may be included, such as mental health and domestic abuse records, though officials deny this claim.
• The project incorporates data from multiple sources, including HM Prison and Probation Service, Greater Manchester Police, and other law enforcement bodies, with encryption measures in place for data security.
• Civil liberties advocates argue the algorithm could institutionalize racial and socioeconomic biases, while officials assert the tool aims to enhance public safety through improved risk assessment methods.