The system was presented on 28 August at a seminar of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), operating under the auspices of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event brought together more than 130 representatives from around 70 anti-corruption, law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
ICAC has been developing Tianma since 2025 based on practical investigative experience. The system uses artificial intelligence to consolidate and analyse information and is designed to enhance the effectiveness of computer forensics and forensic accounting in corruption investigations.
ICAC also presented its plans for the further development of the system. In particular, the Commission intends to continue enhancing Tianma by incorporating the latest technologies to improve investigation quality and efficiency.
As ICAC Commissioner Danny Woo noted, the use of advanced technologies is one of the Commission’s strategic priorities. According to Woo, law enforcement agencies need to keep pace with technological developments, while Tianma, developed from practical investigative experience, may serve as a reference for other anti-corruption agencies seeking to apply technology in investigations.
ICAC had previously reported on its use of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies in investigations. In October 2025, for example, the Commission demonstrated the use of facial matching, AI summarisation and instant transcript generation, while in February 2026 it reported on the use of big data and artificial intelligence to assist corruption investigations and asset recovery. These technological developments were likely also used in the creation of Tianma, which has been under development since 2025, although ICAC has yet to disclose the system’s architecture or specific functions.
