On 20 February 2020, MEPs in the LIBE Committee heard experts on the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence in the criminal law framework. In the hearing “Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Law and its Use by the Police and Judicial Authorities in Criminal Matters,” discussion focused on facial recognition, risk assessment, and predictive policing (see also the hearing agenda). Panelists observed that the use of AI for voice processing is already commonplace. In the future, AI should be increasingly applied in the field of terrorist financing.

As regards the use of AI for biometric facial identification, participants voiced concerns over the risks to fundamental rights. Data quality poses one of the major challenges in this area. Another problem related to the use of AI for facial identification is the so-called algorithmic bias, which may lead to discrimination of ethnic groups. Against this background, participants discussed how the EU can ensure transparency, explainability, and accountability. The existing regulatory framework therefore needs to be adjusted, as proposed by the European Commission in its White Paper on Artificial Intelligence, which was made public on 19 February 2020 (see also separate news item).