AI-Enhanced Criminal Justice Processing
Jul 18, 2025
Law Overview:
The UAE Public Prosecution unveiled a transformative strategy to reduce criminal case processing times by 100% using artificial intelligence, blockchain, and advanced technologies. This system will be embedded at every stage of the legal process, from initial complaint classification to final case resolution.
Article Proper:
UAE to speed up criminal case processing by 100% using AI, blockchain
UAE Public Prosecution unveiled a bold strategy to digitise its operations using artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and advanced technologies such as the metaverse. The goal is to dramatically reduce the time required to process criminal cases while enhancing accuracy, security, and transparency across the justice system.
The new AI-driven system would transform how prosecutors assess complaints, analyse evidence, and make decisions, according to Chancellor Salem Al Zaabi, Chief Prosecutor at the Office of the UAE Attorney General.
“We will work with AI to reduce the time it takes to review and act on legal documents,” he said, announcing that the system aims to reduce average case processing times by 100 per cent.
The announcement was made during the Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday. It is part of the Public Prosecution’s broader 2045 roadmap, which includes digitising investigations, using blockchain to secure evidence, and launching virtual crime scene simulations.
AI at every stage of the process
Under this initiative, AI will be embedded at every stage of the legal process — from the initial classification of complaints to the final resolution of cases. “Artificial intelligence will be used to identify contradictions between pieces of evidence, break down technical reports, and summarise cases,” noted Al Zaabi.
AI will also assist in evaluating police reports based on urgency and severity, enabling prosecutors to make faster and more informed decisions. While the technology will enhance speed and accuracy, Al Zaabi clarified that AI will serve only as a support tool, not a replacement. Human prosecutors will remain central to the decision-making process.
Blockchain to secure evidence
Alongside AI, blockchain technology will play a critical role in safeguarding digital evidence. It will be used to track seized items, store sensitive data, and maintain an unbroken chain of custody — ensuring that evidence remains secure and unaltered.
“We must ensure that no one can access or alter this evidence,” he said, highlighting the need to protect the integrity and privacy sensitivity of legal data and the importance of a robust digital infrastructure. Blockchain will allow the prosecution to guarantee that the evidence they present in court remains authentic and untampered. UAE’s first cryptocurrency case
Al Zaabi also shared a key moment in the Public Prosecution’s digital journey — the UAE’s first case involving cryptocurrency, which exposed the system’s early challenges in dealing with digital crime.
“At the time, we didn’t even know what non-fungible tokens (NFTs) were,” he recalled. “It took us months to understand what made a digital currency counterfeit or fraudulent.”
The case required expert consultation from outside the prosecution and involved a lengthy 100-page report. “We searched across the region for someone with expertise,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the case ended in a conviction — but it was a wake-up call. "It was clear; we were not ready." Since then, the Public Prosecution has introduced specialised training programmes to prepare prosecutors to keep pace with new types of crime linked to the digital world.
3D simulations
Looking ahead, the prosecution plans to use virtual reality and metaverse platforms to recreate crime scenes. These 3D simulations will provide investigators and courts with enhanced insight and accuracy, helping them better understand the sequence of events. Beyond these tools, the strategy also includes predictive elements.
AI will be used to detect patterns that indicate potential criminal activity, allowing authorities to intervene before crimes occur. To ensure these tools are applied fairly, prosecutors are directly involved in designing the algorithms.
“We will sit with the developers ourselves,” said the chancellor, asserting that prosecutors will help design algorithms to avoid bias and ensure legal compliance. The UAE also plans to collaborate internationally on digital justice, launching a platform to coordinate with public prosecution offices abroad.
“Digital crime knows no borders,” he noted, calling for unified efforts to track and address cross-border cyber offences. “We are not waiting for the future, we are shaping it,” he concluded. “We will harness technology to protect rights, accelerate procedures, and deliver precise, humane justice.”