The Faculty of Criminal Justice at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) is pleased to announce its distinguished contributions to the KDU International Research Conference 2024 (KDU IRC 2024), scheduled for the 26th and 27th of September. This year’s conference theme, “Unravelling the Paradigm Shift: Revolutions in the Era of AI,” highlights the rapidly evolving impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across multiple disciplines, with a special focus on the field of criminal justice.
The highlight of the Faculty’s participation were the Plenary Session on the 27th of September, centered on the topic: “Relevancy of AI in Criminal Justice: Balancing Social Interest and Individual Interest.” This session promised to engage deeply with the complex intersections between technological advancements in AI and the legal frameworks, policies, and ethical considerations crucial to maintaining justice. Esteemed speakers include:
His Lordship Justice Nishshanka Bandula Karunarathne – Supreme Court Justice, offering insights on AI’s legal implications within the judiciary.
Deshabandu Professor MADSJS Niriella – Professor in Criminology, focusing on AI’s application in criminological research and policy.
Professor Dhanapala Wijesinghe – Professor in Law, exploring the legal challenges posed by AI in criminal justice.
Mr. Sajeewa Madawatte – Senior Police Officer, sharing practical insights on the use of AI in modern policing.
Mr Basnayake – Prison Commissioner, The role of AI in Balancing Security and Rehabilitation
These speakers explored critical issues such as the ethical dilemmas of AI in policing, surveillance, and the balance between societal security and individual privacy.
In addition to the plenary session, the second day of the conference was feature four technical sessions and a poster presentation session dedicated to various aspects of criminal justice and AI. These sessions were address a range of topics, including the implementation of AI in criminal justice, predictive policing, AI-driven decision-making in courts and other related topics of Criminal Justice and AI.
The Faculty of Criminal Justice sessions at KDU IRC 2024 concluded successfully, leaving participants with valuable insights into the evolving role of AI within the criminal justice system. The plenary session, featuring distinguished speakers from the judiciary, law enforcement, and academia, provided a well-rounded exploration of the delicate balance between social interests and individual rights in the age of AI. The technical sessions and poster presentations further enriched the discussions, offering in-depth analysis and innovative perspectives on AI’s applications in law, criminology, and victim support. The event fostered dynamic exchanges and set the stage for future advancements in research and practice.