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Recap: Expert Group meeting on Technology
The Expert Group Meeting on Technology was held from 2 to 3 April 2025 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Building on the progress made over the past year, the meeting focused on recent technological advancements, particularly the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in probation services, and the planned expansion of the Practice Recommendation first published in November 2024.
>>Read the Practice Recommendation here.
The group was welcomed on 2 April by Mr. Besik Meurmishvili, Head of the National Agency for Crime Prevention, Execution of Non-Custodial Measures and Probation, along with First Deputy Mr. Mikheil Zazashvili. During the opening discussions, members emphasized that while technology plays a critical role in probation services, the integration of AI must be approached with great caution.
Participants were introduced to a range of technologies used by the National Agency, including an in-house developed risk assessment tool, victim-offender mediation programs, and PROBBOX. Later, the group visited PROBBOX and explored the broader concept of the public hall—an integrated service center offering various government services such as passport renewal.
On Thursday, 4 April, discussions continued with a focus on AI. A presentation from England and Wales shared insights and experiences in enhancing probation technologies with AI in practical settings. In 2024, the Expert Group completed the initial draft of the Practice Recommendation, a tool designed to help jurisdictions address key considerations before implementing new technologies, undertaking digitalization, or adopting hybrid work models. It includes best practices and a practical checklist to support organizations in these efforts.
In 2025, the group initiated plans to expand the Practice Recommendation, with Version 2 expected to be released in the second half of the year.
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