Former police officer Dr. Sheelagh Brady has developed an AI-powered travel safety app called Kowroo to help people stay safe while traveling. With 25 years of experience in policing and security, including international assignments with the EU and UN, Brady brings a wealth of knowledge to the development of this innovative platform.
Kowroo utilizes the latest AI technology to provide real-time security and safety alerts to travelers, supported by insights from multiple global datasets. The goal is to offer personalized, actionable information to users, keeping them informed and secure during their journeys.
Brady’s inspiration for Kowroo stemmed from her experiences during an evacuation from Libya, where she recognized the need for optimized data flows to deliver timely and reliable information to travelers. Through years of refinement and collaboration with security experts, technologists, and business travelers, Kowroo has evolved into a valuable tool for companies to meet their duty-of-care obligations to employees.
The significance of Kowroo lies in its ability to address the specific concerns of travelers, such as sexual assault, theft, and medical issues, which may go unreported but can significantly impact individuals’ well-being and productivity. By filling the knowledge gap in threat analysis and providing a comprehensive view of the threat landscape, Kowroo aims to enhance the safety and confidence of travelers, ultimately benefiting both individuals and companies.
As a researcher, Brady values the intersection of academia and operations, seeking to apply academic rigor to real-world problems in the security field. She acknowledges the challenges of communicating research findings in a relevant and relatable manner, especially as she navigates the development and testing phases of Kowroo in live environments.
In an evolving landscape of technology and public engagement with science, Brady emphasizes the importance of ensuring that technical innovations like Kowroo address genuine operational needs and maintain human oversight in the development process. With a focus on providing practical solutions and building trust through transparency and accountability, Kowroo represents a significant step towards enhancing travel safety and risk management for individuals and organizations worldwide.
