President Samia Pushes for AI in Policing To Combat Crime

President Samia Suluhu Hassan , has tasked  the  Police Force to adopt new strategies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to combat the increasing rate of online frauds that have raised concerns among both the government and the public.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Annual Senior Police Officers’ Meeting and the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Tanzania Police Force in Kilimanjaro Region, President Samia highlighted the importance of embracing technological advancements, especially in the realm of internet usage and AI, to effectively monitor and combat cybercrime in today’s rapidly evolving world.

“In today’s rapidly changing world, with the surge in internet usage and artificial intelligence, it’s imperative for the police to also evolve technologically and closely monitor cybercrime,” she said.

The President also  underscored that cybercrime incidents had surged by 36.1 percent, from 1,006 cases in 2022 to 1,369 by December 2023, making it one of the fastest-growing forms of crime in the country.

She disclosed that offenders exploit the internet to perpetrate various crimes such as fraud, dissemination of false information, distribution of pornography, and harassment. She urged the police to take a serious stance on tackling online crimes, as criminals can operate from outside Tanzania using the internet.

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President Samia charged the police with ensuring peace and stability in Tanzania before, during, and after the forthcoming elections. With the rise in political activities ahead of the local government and general elections, she cautioned against defamatory statements, discrimination, and misinformation. The President emphasized the importance of maintaining a peaceful environment in Tanzania to sustain ongoing development efforts and called for decisive action against any attempts to disrupt national peace under the guise of election activities.

She emphasized with the increase in political activities ahead of the local government and general elections, there is a likelihood of increased defamatory statements, discrimination, and misinformation, and the police must be prepared to manage these challenges without resorting to shutting down the internet.

“Elections will come and go, but Tanzania will remain. We want to preserve a peaceful and stable Tanzania so that development efforts can continue,” President Samia said, stressing the need for firm action against anyone attempting to disrupt national peace under the guise of election activities.