From 17th to 19th September 2024, the STARLIGHT consortium came together in Lisbon for its 5th General Assembly, hosted by partner Polícia Judiciária. This gathering brought together law enforcement agencies, technical partners, and ethics experts to reflect on the progress of the project, address challenges, and plan the way forward.
The assembly opened with remarks from Luísa Proença, PJ National Deputy Director, Annette Cassar from the European Commission’s DG Home, and Nizar Touleimat, CEA Coordinator, who presented a comprehensive overview of STARLIGHT’s achievements to date. Their speeches set a collaborative tone for the event, emphasising the importance of AI in enhancing law enforcement capabilities.
A highlight of the first day was the 5th Toolfest, where technical partners showcased a range of AI tools developed during the project’s co-development cycles. These tools aim to assist law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in key areas such as data analysis, anomaly detection, and crime forecasting. Participants had the opportunity to explore the tools, engage with the developers, and provide feedback that will shape their future iterations.
Day two focused on the 3rd Pilot, which provided a real-world testing environment for the AI tools. LEAs and technical partners worked together to assess the tools' performance in practical scenarios. The pilot offered valuable insights into the tools’ readiness for deployment, helping to ensure that they are fit for operational use in law enforcement settings.
On the third and final day, the assembly shifted to a discussion on ethics and governance, led by members of the Ethics Board. These conversations emphasised the importance of ensuring that AI tools align with European values, particularly regarding privacy, transparency, and accountability.
The 5th General Assembly was a productive and collaborative event that reinforced the STARLIGHT project’s commitment to providing law enforcement with cutting-edge AI tools while ensuring that ethical considerations remain at the forefront. As we move forward, the insights gained during these three days will be key to shaping the next phase of development.