Experimentation has become a loaded term in AI, often associated with stalled pilots and proof-of-concepts that never reach operational use. 

In policing, this isn’t just inefficient; it risks slowing progress on some of the most pressing frontline challenges, from managing demand and improving productivity, to strengthening public trust and operational decision-making. The real question facing policing today is not whether to adopt AI, but how to make it work safely, responsibly and at scale in a high-accountability environment. 

Across the UK and beyond, there is growing recognition - including at a national level - that structured approaches such as AI Labs can help forces test, validate and deploy AI in a way that maintains trust, governance and operational integrity. But turning that intent into real-world impact remains a challenge. 

This session will bring together voices from policing, academia and delivery to explore what it really takes to move from experimentation to operational use in policing. They will share insights from UK policing priorities, academic research, and international experience delivering AI capabilities within policing environments.  

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