Put people, principles and partnerships at the heart of justice that drives AI.
The Department of Justice (MOJ) has published its AI Action Plan, released on July 31, 2025, outlines its three-year strategy and outlines how departments can leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) I to increase the efficiency, equity and accessibility of the criminal justice system.
For this reason, MOJ sees “AI” as a comprehensive term for tools such as machine learning, large-scale language models, and emerging agent capabilities. This includes technologies that allow machines to process data, infer, and provide recommendations that traditionally require human intelligence.
The plan is scheduled for implementation over a three-year period and outlines the following strategic priorities:
- Strengthening the Foundation – Strengthen AI leadership, governance and ethics, data and digital infrastructure, and procurement to support AI adoption and proactively manage risk.
- Embed AI throughout the Judicial System – Apply AI to provide MOJ priorities to protect the public, reduce rebursement, provide quick access to justice, and provide efficient enablement capabilities through a “scan, pilot, scale” approach.
- Invest in People and Partners – Accelerate AI recruitment and transform the way you work through investments in talent, training and workforce planning. Partnerships will also be strengthened to support AI-driven legal innovation, economic growth and response to AI-enabled crime.
MOJ has developed a network of AI champions, promoted support, promoted effective use of AI tools, and expanded the issue to AI units' justice. However, this initiative is different from the original government AI champion Medel, who focuses on sector-specific leaders working with industry and government.
Together with the “scan, pilot and scale approach,” the three-year roadmap includes establishing a strong foundation, scaling functionality, and building on early success.
To do this, MOJ adjusts priorities across three crosscut principles.
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Put safety and fairness first
Working with AI within the law, protecting individual rights and maintaining public trust through strict testing, clear accountability and careful surveillance.
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Protects independence
AI needs to maintain the independence of watchdogs and decision makers and support human judgment rather than replacing them.
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Start with the person using the system
Implement user-centric designs to solve real problems for victims, criminals, staff, judges and citizens.
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Build or buy once and use it again and again
Building a fully-usable solution minimizes cost and effort.
Therefore, the AI Action Plan for Justice aims to harness the benefits that generative AI must provide justice delivery across the system and improve.
Read the policy paper here.
AI, along with procurement and digital skills, continues to be one of the three strategic priorities of the Judicial and Emergency Services Management Board. If you would like to hear more about the work we do, please contact ella.gago-brookes@techuk.org
