Fort Worth police have begun a pilot program using an artificial‑intelligence training system created by the University of Texas at Arlington. The tool lets officers practice tense encounters with virtual participants who may be autistic, neurodivergent, or have other disabilities, and provides instant feedback on how they communicate.
How the AI works
Associate Professor Shuchi Deb, who leads the project, says the system can adjust its behavior based on an officer’s responses. “We can create lots of different difficulty levels for the officers who are training,” Deb told KERA. “Some of the AI can be very compliant, some of them are not that compliant, some of them can be impossible to de‑escalate.”
The AI evaluates each statement an officer makes, scoring it as positive or negative. Officers see these scores through headsets during the exercise and receive a detailed analysis afterward. The program can recognize when an officer is listening, being kind, or identifying a concern, as well as when a connection is missed, then alters the scenario accordingly.
Benefits for officers and the community
Officer Jorge Lopez, who helped design the training, noted that the system eliminates the need for a live role‑player and removes safety risks associated with physical simulations. “It’s something that we can do a lot more often in training,” he said.
By exposing officers to cues that may indicate autism, neurodivergence, or other hidden disabilities, the AI helps them learn to adjust their approach before a real‑world interaction. This preparation aims to reduce misunderstandings and keep both the public and officers safe during traffic stops or other encounters.
Funding and oversight
The project is funded through a U.S. Department of Justice grant (No. 15PBJA‑23‑GG‑06172‑NTCP) and is managed by Fort Worth Police Sgt. Nathan Owens, with Lopez serving as an instructor and content designer. The initiative aligns with Police Chief Eddie Garcia’s emphasis on technology and training, a priority he highlighted early in his tenure.
Chief Garcia has also overseen separate efforts, such as First Amendment refresher training after an incident involving Christian street preachers at Trinity Pride Fest. While that training addressed constitutional speech issues, the AI program focuses specifically on communication and decision‑making during simulated high‑pressure encounters.
Broader implications
The Fort Worth effort shows how law‑enforcement agencies can use AI not just for surveillance or evidence analysis, but as a proactive teaching tool. By allowing officers to practice with a dynamic, responsive virtual partner, the department hopes to improve de‑escalation outcomes and build stronger community trust.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
