Key Takeaways
- The FBI is adjusting to the increasing use of emerging technology by criminals, including artificial intelligence (AI), to commit crimes globally.
- The agency is expanding its operations to meet the threat of cybercrimes committed outside national borders.
- Experts warn of the dangers of AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes, which can be used to influence elections and spoof identities.
- The FBI and experts are calling for caution and oversight, including the potential formation of an AI oversight agency to prescreen new technology and assess its risks and benefits.
Introduction to the Evolving Threat Landscape
The world of law enforcement is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing use of technology and innovation. As criminals become more sophisticated in their methods, law enforcement agencies like the FBI are adapting to keep pace. According to Eugene Kowel, FBI special agent in charge of the Omaha Field Office, the traditional approach of standing at the border to keep crime out is no longer effective. Instead, the FBI is working to take cases from local to global, tracing the trail of crime back to its source, whether it’s a cartel leader or a fraudster in another country.
The Role of AI in Cybercrime
Kowel highlights the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI) in the criminal arena. While AI has the potential to bring many benefits, it can also be used by criminals to expand their reach and commit cybercrimes. The FBI is deploying agents and analysts to 70 countries around the world to counter this threat, recognizing that AI is a vector that criminals can use to deploy malicious cyber tools across a wide variety of people. Kowel notes that the agency has a history of shifting with technological changes, viewing AI as a tool that can be used for good or ill, rather than a crime problem in itself.
Global Operations to Counter Cybercrime
The FBI is expanding its operations to meet the threat of cybercrimes committed outside national borders. Kowel emphasizes the importance of having a robust footprint overseas in order to have an impact in local communities. This approach recognizes that cybercrimes often have global connections, and that the FBI must work with international partners to disrupt and dismantle these networks. By expanding its operations globally, the FBI aims to stay ahead of the threat and protect citizens from the growing dangers of cybercrime.
The Dangers of AI-Generated Disinformation
Experts, including AI expert Gary Marcus, are warning of the dangers of AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes. These technologies can be used to create convincing but false information, which can be used to influence elections, spoof identities, and commit other types of cybercrimes. Kowel notes that things may not always be as they seem, and that criminals can use AI to create fake images, videos, and even participate in video conversations that are not what they appear to be. This is a serious problem for communities, and one that future FBI agents will have to continually address.
The Need for Oversight and Caution
In response to these growing threats, experts are calling for caution and oversight. Marcus proposes the formation of an AI oversight agency to prescreen new technology and assess its risks and benefits. This could involve forcing companies to demonstrate how the benefits of AI use outweigh the risks, and implementing measures to prevent the misuse of AI for malicious purposes. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are also emphasizing the importance of exercising caution and being suspicious of unsolicited information, recognizing that the threat landscape is constantly evolving and that new dangers are emerging all the time.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, the FBI is adapting to the increasing use of emerging technology by criminals, including AI, to commit crimes globally. The agency is expanding its operations to meet the threat of cybercrimes committed outside national borders, and experts are warning of the dangers of AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that law enforcement agencies, governments, and individuals must work together to stay ahead of the threat and protect citizens from the growing dangers of cybercrime. This will require a combination of technological innovation, international cooperation, and caution, as well as a commitment to oversight and accountability in the development and use of AI and other emerging technologies.