Oklahoma DOC Director to join national discussion on responsible AI in public safety

Oklahoma Department of Corrections Executive Director Steven Harpe will speak during a Congressional briefing in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The briefing, hosted by the Integrated Justice Information Systems Institute in conjunction with the Bipartisan AI Caucus, will review IJIS’s AI Playbook (Artificial Intelligence Playbook for Justice, Public Safety, and Security Professionals), along with featured speakers who will discuss the use of artificial intelligence in public safety sectors.

Along with Director Harpe, who will represent the American Correctional Association, other featured speakers will include San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus, Assistant Director for Technology and Innovation at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Rich Littlehale, and Associate Vice President of the National White Collar Crime Center Robert Leazenby.

The speakers will highlight how AI is currently being applied in their respective fields by presenting real-world use cases in law enforcement, corrections, courts and more. They will also discuss best practices, governance frameworks and ethical guardrails.

“The future is artificial intelligence. Using AI is not about replacing people; it’s about empowering them,” said Director Harpe. “In corrections, AI tools will help us enhance security, streamline operations and make real-time data-driven decisions to ensure that we transform lives in a safe environment.”

Director Harpe’s participation underscores Oklahoma’s leadership in embracing innovation to improve public safety. As the corrections field continues to evolve, responsible implementation of AI offers new opportunities to strengthen outcomes, protect staff and inmates, and modernize operations. His insights will contribute to the national conversation on how emerging technologies can be used ethically and effectively in justice and corrections systems.