Tasmania Police is reviewing the possible use of an artificial intelligence system designed to help officers write reports about family violence incidents. An evaluation of the technology found that it could significantly reduce administrative workloads, but it also identified errors that could have serious consequences if reports were accepted without careful human checking.

The system, called Draft One, was developed by United States technology company Axon. It analyses audio recorded by police officers' body-worn cameras and generates a written narrative for officers to review, edit and approve. The aim is to reduce the time officers spend preparing documentation so they can devote more time to other duties.

Documents released under freedom-of-information laws show that Tasmania Police tested the tool using historical recordings and later conducted a trial in Launceston over several months in 2025. The trial compared reports written using the traditional process with reports assisted by the AI system.

The evaluation found that AI-assisted reports took approximately 42 minutes to write and validate, almost twice as fast as the traditional method. Based on the estimated workload, the report suggested the technology could save approximately 160 weeks of staff time and $434,187 in wages over a year. The evaluation also suggested that savings could be greater if the tool were used for other types of police documentation.

However, the trial identified limitations that are particularly important in family violence cases. Investigators found that the software could confuse the identities or roles of people speaking, omit important details, or produce unclear and overly lengthy narratives. In a small percentage of cases, it also missed threats, assaults or other risk factors.

One example involved a recording in which a woman was discussing a person who allegedly had access to a hidden firearm. The AI-generated report stated that the woman had described previous threats against her life. When an officer checked the original recording, they concluded that she had said words to the effect that there had been no threats. Investigators suggested that overlapping speech may have caused the system to misinterpret the conversation.

The findings raised concerns among digital-rights advocates and family violence support services. They warned that inaccurate documentation could affect how an incident is understood, how risks are assessed and how information is later used in court. Family violence investigations can involve several people speaking at once, emotional conversations and complex circumstances, making accurate records especially important.

The evaluation found that the system performed better during straightforward interactions involving one officer and one other person. Its performance became less reliable in more complicated situations involving partners, children and witnesses. This distinction is significant because complex incidents may also require particularly careful assessment.

Supporters of AI-assisted reporting argue that technology can help reduce paperwork and improve consistency when properly supervised. However, family violence support representatives have emphasised that automated systems should assist police officers rather than replace human judgement or direct communication with victim-survivors.

The evaluation recommended that any wider rollout should be gradual and supported by clear policies, mandatory human verification and supervisory oversight. Tasmania Police has said that the future use of the technology remains under review and that further consultation, trials and funding arrangements would be considered before any potential rollout.

The trial highlights a broader challenge for public services adopting AI: faster paperwork can offer meaningful savings, but accuracy and accountability remain essential when records influence decisions about people's safety.