Norway launches major police digital upgrade with AI and drones

Justice and Emergency Preparedness Minister Astri Aas-Hansen said the state will allocate substantial funds to modernise the police force through a phased digital programme. The first phase, to be financed in the upcoming budget, will focus on building a robust IT infrastructure and deploying AI applications that automate transcription, evidence analysis and case management. Police Director Håkon Skulstad explained that drones are already operating in Oslo, providing aerial situational awareness, rescuing lives and even delivering warnings to individuals on the ground.

Additional innovations include a digital portal for businesses to submit reports with video evidence, a multilingual speech-to-speech tool, and a facial-recognition system linked to the national ID register that has helped identify hundreds of child victims in a recent abuse case. Officials stress that the technology will free up officers for frontline duties while enhancing public safety across the country.