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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE

@marion-infolaw.bsky.social
1.7K followers 424 following 57 posts

Professor of Law, Northumbria University. Interested in law, technology, #AI policing, law enforcement & national security (& art, detective fiction). Chair, West Midlands PCC/Police data ethics committee, Hon FRSS #academicsky

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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
New @probablefutures.bsky.social report on #AI in law enforcement & criminal justice. Use of AI is running ahead of safeguards - putting a 'Human in the loop' can give false assurance figshare.northumbria.ac.uk/articles/rep... and our mapping tool is at probablefutures.github.io/ai-mapping/m...
figshare.northumbria.ac.uk
The Use of Probabilistic AI in Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice System of England and Wales
This report provides a detailed account of how probabilistic AI is being introduced, understood, and operationalised across law enforcement and the wider criminal justice system of England and Wales. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with professionals from policing, prosecution, the Bar, government, oversight bodies, and the technology sector, it examines perceptions, their practical use, and the gap between intended design and user experience. The report examines implementation challenges, including the risks arising when AI outputs feed into further automated processes, while also assessing the operational benefits AI can deliver when deployed responsibly. It further considers the funding and innovation structures shaping adoption, evaluates the adequacy of current institutional, evidential, and governance arrangements, and concludes with recommendations for the bodies responsible for overseeing these technologies.The central finding is twofold. AI systems are already generating significant gains in efficiency, decision-making, and, in some contexts, public protection, particularly where deployment has been problem-led, iterative, and properly evaluated. At the same time, adoption is advancing more rapidly than the institutional, evidential, and governance frameworks needed to support it. The result is an increasing gap between technological capability and the conditions required for its legitimate, reliable, and responsible use.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
BBC investigation into Channel 4's 'Married at First Sight' www.bbc.com/news/article... reminded me, that 10 years ago, I published research investigation into C4's 'Secret Life of 5 Year Olds' & child law/best interests/privacy concerns raised. Lessons learned? www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
bbc.com
An unhealthy focus on sex - Married at First Sight UK insiders on show's 'toxic' culture
Fresh revelations come after two women told the BBC they had been raped on the Channel 4 reality show.
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement @probablefutures.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Great to see Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE, Temitope Lawal, PhD & Angela Paul, PhD (PROBabLE Futures) on having their article published by Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS): 'Challenges of Remote AI Weapons Detection in Policing'
cetas.turing.ac.uk
Searching Before Stopping: The Legal and Ethical Challenges of Remote AI Weapons Detection in UK Policing
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PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement @probablefutures.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
🔗 Read the paper: research.northumbria.ac.uk/probablefutu... 👏 Huge well done to Nneoma and Aleeyah for this important contribution to the national conversation on biometric governance.
research.northumbria.ac.uk
Articles and Publications - PROBabLE Futures
Read our latest articles and publications
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement @probablefutures.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
🔗 Read the full response: research.northumbria.ac.uk/probablefutu... #Biometrics #FacialRecognition #TechGovernance #AIRegulation #ResponsibleAI #PROBabLEFutures #RAiUK
research.northumbria.ac.uk
Consultation Responses - PROBabLE Futures
Read our latest work on consultation responses
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
Maggie Harrison Dupré @mharrisondupre.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
NEW: People are using Elon Musk's chatbot, Grok, to alter images to depict real women being sexually abused, humiliated, hurt, and even killed. futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com
Grok Is Being Used to Depict Horrific Violence Against Real Women
People are asking Elon Musk's Grok chatbot to alter images to depict women being sexually abused, humiliated, and even killed.
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
Northumbria UCU Branch @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Here's another raw (barely in tune😉) mashup of Xmas classics old and new (from Low!) to remind @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social members to VOTE VOTE VOTE in the local ballot @northumbriauni.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
. @probablefutures.bsky.social event today on AI in law enforcement & lessons from the past. @ctmccartney.bsky.social speaking on what we can learn from the introduction of breathalysers and speed cameras
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
'Critical Gaps in the Mandatory Reporting Provisions of the Crime and Policing Bill' inc excluding leadership roles & indications of abuse from duty, lack of criminal penalties, & whether reporting overrides sectoral confidentiality. Can the House of Lords fix? journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
Northumbria UCU Branch @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Please share and sign: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no...
megaphone.org.uk
Northumbria Pay and Pension Petition: Stop the Steal!
If Northumbria does this, other universities will too.  These cuts will harm thousands of people, their students, families, and their local communities now and into the future.
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
Northumbria UCU Branch @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Please sign and share: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no...
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
Northumbria UCU Branch @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social skyrocketing and getting mobilised to fight this attack on pay and pensions @northumbriauni.bsky.social www.ucu.org.uk/article/14256
ucu.org.uk
Strike ballot looms at Northumbria University over attack on pay & pensions
Staff at Northumbria University have taken steps towards a strike ballot over plans by the university to force staff from the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (...
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Afghan women lose their 'last hope' as Taliban shuts down internet
For many women, the internet was their last resource. An internet shutdown threatens to end this.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Taliban ban books written by women from Afghan universities
The decree also outlaws the teaching of 18 subjects, including human rights and sexual harassment.
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PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement @probablefutures.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
💡 Tackle challenges like hallucinations, trust, and ethical AI deployment. 🔗 findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-in-computing-science-responsible-usage-of-llm-based-tooling-in-high-stakes-decision-making/?p186487 #PhD #LLM #ResponsibleAI #ComputingScience #AcademicOpportunities
findaphd.com
PhD in Computing Science - Responsible Usage of LLM-Based Tooling in High-Stakes Decision-Making at University of Glasgow on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - PhD in Computing Science - Responsible Usage of LLM-Based Tooling in High-Stakes Decision-Making at University of Glasgow, listed on FindAPhD.com
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Met Police facial recognition tech mistook me for wanted man'
Shaun Thompson is challenging the Met Police's use of live facial recognition technology.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
If you are in Devon this weekend, catch this show in Exeter (and in the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen's birth too) exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/sense...
exeternorthcott.co.uk
Sense and Sensibility - Exeter Northcott Theatre
Book tickets for Sense and Sensibility at the Exeter Northcott Theatre today!
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Our written evidence to Parliamentary Human Rights Ctee on the provisions in Crime and Policing Bill on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse. We highlight 4 key weaknesses: supervisory roles, indicators of abuse, penalties, & duties of confidentiality committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
committees.parliament.uk
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
MrBeast removes AI YouTube thumbnail tool after backlash
The world's most subscribed YouTuber admits he
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
BBC threatens AI firm with legal action over unauthorised content use
It is first time that the BBC has taken such action regarding alleged scraping of its content for AI.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
College of Policing publishes new guidance on AI-enabled tools, in conjunction with checklist for responsible AI in policing developed by @probablefutures.bsky.social in collaboration with NPCC www.college.police.uk/guidance/bui...
college.police.uk
Building AI-enabled tools and systems | College of Policing
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Facial recognition error sees woman accused of theft
An apparent mix-up with the technology led to Danielle Horan being wrongly accused of shoplifting.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
MI5 misled watchdog about neo-Nazi spy case after lying in court
The regulator rewrote a draft report which had contradicted MI5’s false evidence, the BBC can reveal.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Peers demand more protection from AI for creatives
MPs have already overturned calls for more copyright protection for artists against AI once before.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East: "Deploy AI with care, conscience and a deep understanding of our communities" #AInorthumbria
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah talks about the importance of responsible AI and of shaping new developments to be for the benefit of everyone #AInorthumbria
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Getting ready for the launch of the Northumbria Centre for Responsible AI this morning #AInorthumbria @northumbriauni.bsky.social @probablefutures.bsky.social
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Ed Newton-Rex @ednewtonrex.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Fantastic ending to Baroness Kidron's speech in the House of Lords yesterday, which led to the government's defeat on AI & copyright. Speaking the UK's creators: "Their property, their labour, is worthy of your protection - because apart from anything else, it is not ours to give away."
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Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
"For me, the answer now lies in refusal, the withdrawal of participation from systems that require dishonesty as the price of belonging." Today I am resigning from the National Science Board and the Library of Congress Scholars Council. I wrote about my decision in TIME. time.com/7285045/resi...
time.com
Why I’m Resigning from the NSF and Library of Congress
I cannot participate in systems that require dishonesty as the price of belonging.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
""If it looked like a shooting could represent a breach of the rules of conflict, you'd get a phone call from the legal adviser or one of the staff officers in HQ. They'd pick you up on it and help you to clarify the language. 'Do you remember someone making a sudden move?' 'Oh yeah, I do now.'""
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Bristol street sex workers help police to stop child abuse
As darkness falls across Bristol, street sex workers are helping to protect its most at-risk children.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
New CETaS report 'UK Public Attitudes to National Security Data Processing: Assessing Human and Machine Intrusion' (Powell, Oswald & Janjeva) published today. Based on a nationally representative survey and a citizens panel cetas.turing.ac.uk/publications... 1/3
cetas.turing.ac.uk
UK Public Attitudes to National Security Data Processing: Assessing Human and Machine Intrusion
Emerging technologies are transforming national security data processing, as many analytical tasks can now be automated – including through machine learning
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Copilot Recall: Microsoft rolls out AI screenshot tool
Recall had been dubbed a
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 11/04/2025
4/ From Aug. 1 — when the law took effect — to Dec. 13, 2024, at least 70 Louisiana prisoners’ parole hearings were canceled just like that, ProPublica and @veritenews.org found:
propublica.org
An Algorithm Deemed This Nearly Blind 70-Year-Old Prisoner a “Moderate Risk.” Now He’s No Longer Eligible for Parole.
A Louisiana law cedes much of the power of the parole board to an algorithm that bars thousands of prisoners from a shot at early release. Civil rights attorneys say it could disproportionately harm B...
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Spring roofs
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
National Data Library continues to be nebulous but this piece suggests whatever it is, it won’t happen in this Parliament www.ft.com/content/85d8...
ft.com
UK tech scheme includes AI tool to mark homework as ministers weigh selling data
Public records my be monetised as part of National Data Library within a decade, says science secretary Peter Kyle
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Pete Fussey @petefussey.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
@daragh.bsky.social & me discuss human rights implications of 'new' UK protest laws in the context of expanding surveillance in @theconversation.com: theconversation.com/banning-face...
theconversation.com
Banning face coverings, expanding facial recognition – how the UK government and police are eroding protest rights
Being identified was once only a possibility, now it is a near certainty.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
H&M to use digital clones of models in ads and social media
Some fear the move could mean less work for models, photographers and make-up artists.
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Design Informatics @designinf.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Don't forget to register for your free ticket to the upcoming @braiduk.bsky.social x IDI Online Seminar with @clcpaterson.bsky.social tomorrow. Please note that this has been changed to an online-only seminar. Get the Zoom link by signing up in the below Eventbrite link. ➡️ edin.ac/4hxm1Bs
edin.ac
BRAID x IDI Hybrid Seminar - Claire Paterson-Young
Thursday, 27th March 2025 [Inspace / Zoom]
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Iran using drones and phone apps to monitor strict dress code for women
Iranian officials are encouraging people to report women who refuse to obey the Islamic republic's dress code, according to a UN report.
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PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement @probablefutures.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
It was a pleasure to deliver an engaging workshop in collaboration with CETaS (the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security) this week at the The Alan Turing Institute inside of the @britishlibrary.bsky.social. Thank you to the speakers and audience for making it so informative and insightful!
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The Register @theregister.com · 08/03/2025
Surprise! People don't want AI deciding who gets a kidney transplant and who dies or endures years of misery
dlvr.it
Surprise! People don't want AI deciding who gets a kidney transplant and who dies or endures years of misery
Researchers find AI isn't ready to help with moral decision making Is AI an appropriate source of moral guidance about which patients should be given kidney transplants?…
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Afghan women students in Oman face expulsion after Trump's USAID freeze
US aid funding enabled thousands of Afghan women to study abroad or online, but many of these programmes are now suspended.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Spring walk
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 07/03/2025
Since writing this article, I have received messages from federal civil servants who tell me it is accurate, and that they are frightened. Please share this with anyone who doesn't understand the scale of the transformation. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
theatlantic.com
There’s a Term for What Trump and Musk Are Doing
How regime change happens in America
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Reposted by Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE
PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement @probablefutures.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Thank you to those who attended our first online event 'AI for intelligence, investigations and public protection' earlier in 2025. It was amazing to see such a diverse array of attendance and interest in our research. Read our follow-up Blogpost which captures the key topics tinyurl.com/yk52ycwy
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PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement @probablefutures.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
We are a growing inter-disciplinary research group and are looking to recruit a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computer and Information Sciences based at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK. Find out more about the role and how to apply here: tinyurl.com/35enbdrf closing on 20/03/2025
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
"there were "dangers" in using them if lawyers "don't already have a good idea of the answer"." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Hopeless' to potentially handy: law firm tests chatbots
Despite 'incredible' progress AI tools still aren't up to the level of even a junior lawyer, research suggests.
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Prof. Marion Oswald, MBE @marion-infolaw.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Judge 'deeply troubled' by PMQs exchange on Gazans settling in UK
Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr says a question asked by Kemi Badenoch and the answer given by Sir Keir Starmer were both
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WIRED @wired.com · 11/02/2025
Thomson Reuters has won the first major AI copyright case in the US. The decision has big implications for the battle between generative AI companies and rightsholders.
wrd.cm
Thomson Reuters Wins First Major AI Copyright Case in the US
The Thomson Reuters decision has big implications for the battle between generative AI companies and rightsholders.
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