Dr Annabel Chan, President of APATAP will officially open Day 1 of the Conference.

The past decade has seen an explosion in the use of artificial intelligence, transforming the way we communicate, search for information and conduct day-to-day tasks. The successful application of artificial intelligence in various domains has naturally led to questions about whether artificial intelligence can transform and improve risk assessment in ways that were previously inconceivable. This talk will examine the potential and pitfalls of relying on AI for risk assessment in criminal justice settings. Is AI truly a game-changer, offering unprecedented insights and efficiency, or does it merely provide similar performance to existing approaches with a veneer of technological sophistication?

Drawing from real-world examples and cutting-edge research, this talk will challenge conventional wisdom and will aim to foster a deeper understanding of the implications of AI in risk assessment. Join us as we navigate the blurred lines between innovation and ethical responsibility, grappling with the question: Is AI a false god leading us astray, a new messiah guiding us to a brighter future or something else entirely?

There has been a great deal of enthusiasm surrounding the potential use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the threat assessment landscape; however, unbridled enthusiasm may overshadow the significant problems associated with the application of AI to threat assessment. Further, the application of AI within threat assessment may be novel, but the principles of AI technology are not novel, nor are the problems posed by the use of AI. AI technology encompasses such approaches as machine learning and multivariate statistics, and concerns raised surrounding the use of statistical or algorithmic approaches to threat assessment date back nearly 30 years. This presentation focuses on challenges with the use of AI technology in threat assessment that organizations and professionals should carefully consider prior to implementing AI technology in our work.

Specifically, this presentation will focus on three primary challenges: 1) practical, 2) moral (ethical), and 3) legal. Some practical problems with the use of AI include a hindrance of critical thinking regarding why someone decided to engage in violence, what violence they might choose to engage in the future, and how we might prevent violence from occurring. Output from AI technologies simply tells threat assessors what to think rather than how to think about violence. Ethical problems with the use of AI include the potential for AI to be unfair in some cases, as the algorithm may include consideration of protected statuses (e.g., age, gender, culture, orientation) in risk estimates, possibly even unbeknownst to the operator. Finally, legal problems include the possibility that AI technology may be admissible in court due to the fact that operators can explain how but not why the AI algorithm reaches a final decision, yet defensible decisions require clear reasoning. Because of these challenges, reliance on AI exposes both threat assessment professionals and their clients to potential liability.

Increasingly, the rise of domestic violent extremism in the United States has transcended borders, with conspiracy theories such as "The Great Replacement" finding audiences across the globe. Most notably, the spread of White Supremacists and other Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism have inspired attacks around the world, with terrorism experts such as Bruce Hoffman identifying the United States as the primary exporter of these beliefs. Related movements, such as Anti-Government/Anti-Authority Violent Extremism, are also taking hold outside of the US. Concerns over the exportation of these extreme belief systems have resulted in some of the closest US allies—Australia, the UK, and Canada—designating both American groups and individuals as foreign terrorists.

In this presentation, I will discuss the nature of community and belief formation and transmission in extremist virtual spaces. In addition, I will explore the nuances regarding "trolling" and the use of humour as a means of transmission, as well as the role of memes and shared communication strategies in online extremist communities. Utilizing an original dataset of extremist group manifestos, I will discuss the findings of a reflexive thematic analysis that explores the relationship between language use in online settings and offline violence. Finally, I will discuss the nature of data collection in the virtual space, the challenges, and practical steps for interpreting this data. The presentation will finish with primary takeaways for practitioners and recommendations for practitioners in multiple spaces (such as law enforcement, threat assessors, and psychologists) on applying the knowledge presented to their fields.

In this presentation, we outline two campus threat assessment cases from Monash University in Australia that commenced with information from outside sources.

Case study 1: a request for information from police leads to uncovering a multi-campus and international case of sextortion. After receiving a freedom of information request regarding sextortion from Victorian Police, we uncovered a number of female students who were victims of similar online threats, all with links to one male international student. Working with multiple University departments, across multiple countries, and ongoing collaboration with Victoria Police, we will discuss the actions taken to support the victims and address the offending male students behaviour.

Case study 2: a formal disclosure from a mental health service reveals a case of stalking in the University residential hall. We will discuss our response and intervention, including notification to the complainant who was unaware of the risk and intended threat. We will highlight our involvement with various internal and external departments to ensure the safety and support of both the complainant and respondent, and detail the ongoing management of the respondent and the risks to the complainant and the wider campus community.

We will discuss the complexities involved with using outside information, including cross-sector working relationships, informal versus formal disclosures, ethical considerations, and jurisdictional issues. The cases will highlight the lessons we learned, with the aim of improving collaboration across the education, law enforcement, and mental health sectors.

Totti’s presentation will look at the differences, challenges, and solutions in implementing Western threat assessment and management procedures in Asian culture. We will go through issues related to legislation, communication, and culture, as well as work with various stakeholders. Totti has been providing consultation regarding preventing various incidents related to concerning or violent behaviour around Asia since 2010. This presentation will provide an insight into what happens when ”WEIRD” concepts are implemented into a different culture.

Join us for a panel discussion facilitated by Dr Annabel Chan, President of APATAP. Our panel of experts includes Dr Lorraine Sheridan, Dorian Van Horn from ATAP, Totti Karpela from eTAP, and a video greeting from Dr Stephen Hart from CATAP . The panel discussion will include an update from different TAP representatives followed by questions around AI and lived experience.

Dr Annabel Chan will close Day 1 of the Confeence.