AAFS 2025

2025 AAFS Plenary Session

A Double-Edged Sword; Exploring the Benefits and Perils of Technology and Artificial Intelligence

Open to All Meeting Registrants

Wednesday, February 19, 2025
10:00 am – 11:30 am
CE Hours: 1.5

Welcoming Remarks
Christopher R. Thompson, MD
AAFS President
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Los Angeles, CA

The unprecedented development of technology and artificial intelligence in the past decade or two has transformed society in almost all sectors. Technology is rapidly increasing efficiency, productivity, and communication. Artificial intelligence, in particular, offers immense potential in forensic science, economics, education, and health care, which might be expected to increase the accuracy and ease of analysis and decision-making processes. However, these tools of transformation pose very real perils involving potential social and economic disruption as well as concerns about monitoring and privacy. These systems can amplify bias if not developed with appropriate regulations in an ethical framework to ensure responsible development and implementation of these powerful tools.

Within the field of forensic sciences and the administration of justice, technology and artificial intelligence promise improved analysis of large data sets, automated workflows, improved crime scene reconstruction, recovery of digital evidence, facial recognition, potential predictive analysis, streamlined judicial processes, and improved complex expert testimony, among other benefits. However technological algorithms can overshadow the human element and intuition, enhance bias, violate privacy, and create philosophical challenges regarding transparency and accountability.

This plenary session will explore technological advancement and its transformative potential through a dynamic and thought-provoking panel of experts, advisers, and other stakeholders who will share their perspectives on the benefits and risks of technology and artificial intelligence. The panel will delve into topics such as technological development, the transformative potential for scientific analysis, automation, and predictive abilities as well as challenges such as security risks, bias, assurances, regulatory frameworks, and the need for transparency. The session will address critical technological, ethical, legal, and practical concerns associated with these advancements.

Through interactive discussion, this plenary session aims to enable forensic scientists to have a more expansive understanding of how technology and artificial intelligence may be harnessed while mitigating the risks. A question-and-answer session inviting audience participation will allow consideration of the complexities of these issues. We hope to foster ongoing dialog, collaboration, and clarity regarding the challenges and opportunities presented by advanced technologies to ensure the integrity and reliability of forensic sciences. This will be a thought-provoking and insightful session, and we invite you to join us as we stand at the intersection of forensic science and the digital age while striving for the equitable administration of justice.

Program