Mamma m-AI! Greece deploys tech to speed up crime investigations

Greek police will begin integrating artificial intelligence into their crime-fighting operations, with the technology set to analyze CCTV footage, handle traffic violations, and assist with domestic violence cases. The initiative, developed through collaboration between Greece’s Ministry of Citizen Protection and Ministry of Digital Governance with Google’s involvement, aims to dramatically reduce investigation times and free up officers for other duties.

How it works: AI will replace time-intensive manual processes that currently burden Greek law enforcement.
• While it can take weeks for personnel to review CCTV footage for theft clues, AI can accomplish the same task in minutes, accelerating efforts to catch criminals.
• The technology can instantly provide officers with critical information about suspects, including whether an aggressor has a gun license and other pertinent details.
• AI will assist in handling traffic violations and cases of violence, including domestic abuse, by quickly processing relevant background information.

The big picture: This represents Greece’s shift toward modernizing law enforcement through digital transformation and international collaboration.
• Deputy Minister of Digital Governance Konstantinos Kyranakis participated in a closed meeting in Washington last October chaired by Google CEO Thomas Kurian, with officials from nine other countries reviewing AI applications in police operations.
• Upon returning from the US, Kyranakis briefed Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis on available AI technologies for law enforcement, receiving approval for the project.
• Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou secured funding through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, a European Union program that provides financial support for member countries’ digital transformation projects, based on an agreement between the ministry and Google.

Implementation timeline: While some AI capabilities will be integrated soon, full deployment will take time due to infrastructure requirements.
• The police department still needs to digitize volumes of existing records before AI can effectively analyze historical data.
• The technology is particularly efficient at handling lesser offenses, which could significantly reduce the administrative burden on officers.