Freedom From Fear Magazine (F3) is produced by UNICRI in cooperation with the Ghent University. F3 aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and awareness of the international community’s priority issues in the fields of justice, the prevention and control of crime, development, peace and security and, more broadly, the protection of human rights.
Watch the video: "An AI-generated video of Irakli Beridze, Head of UNICRI's Centre for AI and Robotics"
In response to rapid advancements in digital technologies, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) opened a specialized Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics in September 2017. Located in the Hague, the Netherlands, the Centre was established with the support of the Municipality of the Hague and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This Centre is dedicated to understanding and addressing both the opportunities and challenges of AI and related new and emerging technologies from the perspective of crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law. In terms of opportunities, the Centre explores how to leverage AI’s potential in a responsible manner in order to promote public safety and reduce crime. In terms of challenges, these same technologies may be misused by malicious actors, or misapplied by legitimate actors if used without proper safeguards.
Through research and awareness-raising, multi-stakeholder discussions and capacity-building activities, the Centre supports national authorities and relevant representatives within the criminal justice system (law enforcement, courts and corrections) through several programmes and projects.
These projects employ several approaches and tools, including:
Some priority areas for the Centre include:
Network building and the creation of strategic partnerships has also been identified as being a fundamental part to the modus operandi of the Centre’s activities and are integral to its success. In this regard, the Centre has built an extensive international network of partners that it engages for its activities and to convene expert-level meetings, training courses and workshops worldwide, as well as high-level visibility events.
Crime prevention, criminal justice, and in particular law enforcement and national security, are areas where AI and related emerging technologies have the potential to compliment or even greatly enhance traditional techniques. Given the increasingly data-heavy nature of criminal investigations and the evolving and complex nature of criminality, the criminal justice system is a domain that can derive substantial benefit from the potential of new and emerging technologies.
AI has already been used to help law enforcement to identify and locate long-missing children, scan illicit sex ads and disrupt human trafficking rings, flag financial transactions that indicate the possibility of money laundering and protect citizens’ privacy through automating the anonymization of surveillance footage. Such technologies may find application in the courts, where they can help with efficient research on jurisprudence to identify precedents and support legal professionals with case management to ensure a timely delivery of justice.
Masked behind these benefits, however, are a range of social, ethical and legal issues that have yet to be fully explored and analysed. For instance, there are concerns surrounding data collection and violations of the right to privacy in AI development, algorithmic bias and black boxes in decision-making systems, and unforeseen outcomes such as from the autonomous use of force. Of course, there is also the ever-present risk that criminals or terrorist organizations may misuse these technologies. Indeed, with every new technology comes vulnerability to new forms of crime and threats to security. However, with proper understanding and responsible development, the Centre continues to aim to build trust and belief in AI and robotics as agents for positive change.
The new issue of 1540 Compass (Issue 5 | January 2026) is now available. The journal supports the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1540, which aims to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors.
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), with support from the Governments of Italy and France, delivered two advanced training sessions on “Supply Chain Disruption” and “Proliferation Sanctions Implementation” from 14 to 18 July 2025 in Kyiv.
Hybrid Session – 26 June 2025, 09:00–10:00 CEST
Cybercrime and online harms are rapidly evolving across Africa, bringing with them significant challenges to justice and digital trust. UNICRI, in collaboration with ALT Advisory, invites you to take part in a hybrid roundtable discussion at IGF 2025 that explores these pressing issues.
UNICRI is dedicated to advancing justice, crime prevention, human rights protection and security by offering innovative post-graduate education and specialised training programmes tailored to meet evolving global challenges. Through on-campus, decentralised, and online courses, UNICRI equips professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex issues.
Our offerings are designed to empower young professionals, law enforcement officers, judges, justice personnel, and social workers, integrating theoretical learning with practical application to enhance the rule of law and human dignity.
In collaboration with leading universities, research institutions, and global experts, UNICRI delivers cutting-edge curricula and training materials tailored to regional and national contexts. Programmes such as the LL.M. in Cybercrime and Cybersecurity and the LL.M. in Transnational Crime and Justice provide participants with specialised expertise to address pressing issues. These initiatives not only enhance professional capabilities but also foster the next generation of leaders dedicated to peace, security, and sustainable development.
UNICRI’s capacity-building initiatives go beyond traditional education by addressing emerging global threats, including the misuse of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials, environmental crime, cultural heritage protection, and the challenges posed by AI, misinformation and hate speech. By prioritising inclusive and integrative learning approaches, UNICRI prepares professionals and youth alike to contribute meaningfully to creating a safer, more just world. Whether through tailored in-country training or comprehensive LL.M. programmes and spesiclaized courses, UNICRI’s commitment to excellence in education and capacity-building ensures a lasting impact on communities worldwide.
