Pakistan launches AI tool to catch child predators online

A tool created by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, which leverages the capabilities of artificial intelligence in tackling issues of child sexual exploitation online in that country, has been launched.

The system was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control and the UK-Pakistan Serious Crime and Law Enforcement Programme—in short, UPSCALE Programme, funded by the British High Commission, and was launched formally at an event held in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control, Talal Chaudhry, British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott, and NCCIA Director General, Syed Khurram Ali, were present at the launch.

Moreover, Chaudhry stated that safeguarding children from online exploitation was considered a “national responsibility.” He further stated that “the use of artificial intelligence demonstrates our commitment to moving forward in terms of modernising law enforcement and ensuring that persons who are involved in such crimes are brought to justice.”

He reiterated his country's pledge to strengthen NCCIA capabilities by saying that “all policy and system reforms must be  enabled to match changing technologies.”

The head of the NCCIA said protecting children from online harm was at the heart of the agency's priorities. He also added that this would be highly scaled up with the introduction of AI, which would lift the agency's ability to review referrals from the US-based National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children from approximately 1,200 to more than 100,000 per month.

Commissioner Marriott said online child abuse was a global challenge that crossed borders, describing child protection as a core UK priority both at home and overseas. She further stated that Katalyst showed ways in which AI could be "used for good", adding that the UK would continue to work closely with Pakistan to disrupt criminal networks and make the digital world safer for children.