Cova.os is an integrated operating service powered by advanced AI technologies, offering proactive cybersecurity measures, online crime reporting capabilities, and the identification of digital risk areas. Ebba represents an innovative fusion of human expertise and AI, dedicated to providing guidance and support teenagers in addressing online offenses and digital threats.
This project represents a partnership between the Umeå Institute of Design and the Swedish and Norwegian police forces. Its primary goal is to enhance the Swedish Police Authority's online presence, responding proactively to the swift digital changes in society. With crime, particularly those targeting children and young adults, increasingly moving online, it's vital to establish robust early crime prevention measures on the internet to protect our most vulnerable citizens effectively.
- Executed comprehensive secondary and primary research
- Conducted targeted user interviews to gather qualitative data
- Planned co-creation workshops for collaborative innovation
- Developed service design frameworks
- Designed UX/UI design components
“Easy access to reporting online crime to the police is the need of the hour”
We organized a co-creation session where we introduced a digital crime scenario to a group of participants. To enhance engagement, we assigned roles to participants that aligned with the context of the scenario. Throughout the session, we encouraged participants to delve into the various aspects of the scenario by asking questions related to 'who, what, when, why, and where,' fostering a collaborative exploration of the situation.
This workshop was structured into distinct sections.
2A. In this activity, participants engage in a holistic exploration of their perceptions of safety. They begin by selecting a persona image that aligns with their self-identity, followed by choosing visual representations of how they visualize safety. Through open discussion, participants unpack the reasons behind their selections, delving into the emotional and cognitive dimensions of their safety concept. To further convey their feelings, they are provided with physical materials to create tactile representations, facilitating a multi-sensory approach to articulating their nuanced understanding of safety.
“Just me and solitude, me and all these people do the same thing. I’m not special, why would anything happen to me?”
2B. Participants are presented with trigger images containing various social media posts, comments, or tweets. They are equipped with three colored stickers: green for liking, blue for a neutral response, and red for discomfort or dislike. The objective is to understand the emotional impact of these images on the participants. Additionally, participants are encouraged to provide comments alongside their chosen stickers, offering valuable insights into their feelings and perceptions related to the content. This activity aims to uncover the nuanced reactions and thoughts generated by the presented social media material.
Erik gets an inappropriate image from a classmate, and that's when Cova AI springs into action. It quickly blurs the image and sends Erik an alert message, letting him know that the image is not appropriate. The message gives Erik two options: he can either have a chat with our human-AI friend, 'ebba,' for some guidance, or he can report the incident. Choosing to have a chat with 'ebba,' Erik looks for help in understanding the situation better. 'ebba' offers guidance and support to Erik every step of the way.
Upon reaching the age of 15, Erik opted for the less protected, Arctic mode by registering with his personal mobile number. In this mode, 'Ebba' assumes a more passive role, empowering Erik to take greater responsibility for his online activities. In this newfound independence, Erik can turn to Ebba when needed.
When confronted with online threats or issues, Erik has the ability to seek Ebba's assistance in reporting crimes or threats, sharing evidence directly with local authorities through Ebba's support or connecting with other registered members designated as support buddies within Cova's online community. These supporters could include teachers, friends and family members, all collectively referred to as "Cova Companions."
