Utah Police Report Erroneously Claims Officer Transformed Into Frog Due to AI Error
HEBER CITY, Utah — A recent incident involving the Heber City Police Department’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate police reports has sparked both amusement and concern after a report falsely stated that an officer had been transformed into a frog. The unusual error occurred when AI software misinterpreted background footage from a movie playing during a body camera recording.
In December, the Heber City Police Department began employing two AI programs, Draft One and Code Four, designed to automatically transcribe and generate reports from body camera footage. Draft One, developed by Axon and powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4, was responsible for the transcription and report writing. However, during one incident, the AI software picked up audio and visual cues from the animated film The Princess and the Frog, which was playing in the background. This led to the bizarre and incorrect conclusion that an officer had been turned into a frog.
“The body cam software and the AI report writing software picked up on the movie that was playing in the background, which happened to be ‘The Princess and the Frog,’” Sgt. Rick Keel explained to FOX 13 News. “That’s when we learned the importance of correcting these AI-generated reports.”
Despite the error, Sgt. Keel emphasized the benefits of the AI tools, noting that they save him approximately six to eight hours of work each week. “I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so it’s very user-friendly,” he said. The department plans to continue using the AI programs but will implement more stringent oversight to prevent similar mistakes.
Axon, the company behind Draft One, is well-known for producing law enforcement technology, including the widely used Taser stun gun. The integration of AI into police work aims to streamline administrative tasks and improve efficiency. However, this incident highlights the challenges and potential pitfalls of relying on AI for critical functions, especially when external factors such as background media can interfere with data interpretation.
Experts in AI ethics and law enforcement technology have noted that while AI can significantly reduce paperwork, human review remains essential to ensure accuracy and accountability. The U.S. Department of Justice has previously issued guidelines emphasizing the need for transparency and oversight in the use of AI within policing.
The Heber City Police Department’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for other agencies adopting AI tools. As law enforcement increasingly embraces technology, balancing innovation with rigorous quality control will be critical to maintaining public trust and operational integrity.
For more information on AI use in law enforcement and best practices, visit the National Institute of Justice website.
Leave a Reply