Policing in the age of AI

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly getting incorporated as a transformative tool in governance and public safety worldwide, and its effectiveness is especially being recognised for developing nations like Pakistan, where policing is frequently constrained by finances and resources. In similar contexts, AI offers opportunities to enhance efficiency, improve crime prevention and strengthen community trust without requiring massive investments in personnel or infrastructure. AI can strategically support overburdened police forces by facilitating more intelligent and timely decision-making, affordable surveillance, and easily accessible reporting.

The outdated policing system in Pakistan underscores the urgent need for transformative tools like AI, which could introduce accuracy, efficiency and accountability into law enforcement practices. Currently, policing in Pakistan remains largely primitive, with modernisation limited to surface-level computerisation primarily restricted to record keeping. Basic global practices such as forensic evidence collection, maintenance of a credible chain of custody, authentication of document and systematic fingerprinting are still largely absent. Punjab stands as the only province with a relatively modern forensic lab, while other provinces rely on rudimentary facilities. Consequently, investigations often depend on unreliable witness statements and subjective opinions of investigating officers, lacking hard evidence. In some cases it allows criminals, who are serial offenders, to have cases against them quashed by judges and in other extreme cases, individuals face capital punishment through such flawed procedures, highlighting the grave consequences of inadequate policing methods.

With that in mind, the use of AI in policing seems far-fetched in Pakistan. Yet there are ways in which AI tools can be employed to make policing more effective. One of the most promising applications is predictive policing. Currently, police patrols are random without data-driven insights, making crime prevention inefficient. By using AI models that analyse crime hotspot data, police could effectively predict the time and place of crimes, allowing patrols to be targeted and efficient.

AI can also revolutionise how Pakistan's police utilise surveillance technology. Scanning hours of CCTV footage can be a daunting and resource-intensive task for investigators. With AI, however, large amounts of footage can be analysed within minutes, saving both time and manpower. Similarly, AI-powered tools can assist in call data analysis, writing reports and preparing case files for courts. With limited manpower in police compared to the growing populations, these automations would not only improve efficiency but also help reduce the chronic delays and backlogs that plague Pakistan's criminal justice system.

Another important consideration is the use of AI in cybercrime. Criminals are exploiting AI to carry out sophisticated scams, from deepfakes to AI-generated phishing attacks. This has already forced the government to establish the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). AI can empower Pakistani law enforcement to better detect, track and counter cyber-threats, thereby keeping pace with criminals who are quick to adopt new technologies. Without AI integration, the police will remain several steps behind the criminals.

AI itself poses challenges to police work, particularly in the area of evidence manipulation. The creation of fake audio, video clips and doctored photographs could easily mislead investigations if law enforcement is not equipped to authenticate digital evidence. Preparing the police force with AI-driven forensic tools to detect such fabrications is crucial. Without these capabilities, courts and investigations will become vulnerable to false evidence, threatening the execution of justice in serious cases, including those carrying capital punishment.

One of the greatest obstacles to AI adoption in Pakistan's policing is not technological but cultural. Police investigators remain entrenched in traditional methods, reluctant to embrace any change. Yet the overburdened system presents an opportunity for reform. AI can be pitched to officers as a means to save time, energy and resources, enabling them to focus on more complex aspects of investigations. This awareness could gradually shift mindsets and create a more open environment for innovation in policing practices.

Additionally, the quality of the data in Pakistani policing is very low. The accuracy of forensic AI models or predictive policing depends on the inputs used. Therefore, the preservation of data sanctity - accurate, impartial and trustworthy records - must be given top priority. Political and law enforcement leadership must understand that implementing AI will result in long-term savings of time, money and human labour, even though the initial investment in technology and training may seem expensive. Overcoming financial limitations requires persuading leadership of this return on investment.

A major requirement for successful AI adoption is cross-agency collaboration. Law enforcement agencies in Pakistan often work in silos, with minimal data sharing or coordination. For AI tools to be truly effective, secure data-sharing platforms and agreed-upon standards must be established across different institutions. Cultural transformation toward collaboration is not optional, rather essential. Given the pace at which technology is evolving, only a collective effort can ensure that AI is harnessed effectively to counter rising challenges.

Ultimately, policing is about making decisions based on information. Lying buried in case files and bureaucratic processes, AI can transform this data into actionable intelligence for a swift and decisive response. Similarly, low-cost surveillance solutions such as AI-enhanced CCTV and drones can provide wide-area monitoring at a fraction of the cost of additional personnel. At the community level, AI chatbots and voice-based systems in local languages can make crime reporting more convenient, particularly for marginalised groups, and can help filter and prioritise cases. In investigations, AI tools can uncover hidden patterns in criminal networks and accelerate digital forensics. These innovations not only improve efficiency but also strengthen trust between citizens and the police through faster, more transparent responses. While challenges such as data bias, privacy concerns and infrastructure limitations must be addressed, the strategic adoption of low-cost AI tools offers Pakistan's police a way to amplify their limited capacity, enhance community safety, and deliver more effective governance.