The Quietly Growing Threat
Artificial intelligence has brought about significant changes in the way we live and work, but it simultaneously paves the way for activities that lie outside the law. As with any technological innovation, AI is already being exploited by groups seeking quick and inexpensive means for illegal actions.
Deepfake scams at minimal cost, automated ransomware, breaches of critical systems, and large-scale identity theft are shaping a new landscape of threats. Protective mechanisms—from legislation to police training—struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence.
AI as a “Force Multiplier” for Crime
Access to ready-made artificial intelligence tools has significantly lowered the barriers to carrying out attacks. Actions that once required expertise and high costs can now be executed by small groups, even by individuals with limited knowledge.
Voice cloning, personal account breaches, or the automation of complex actions can now be accomplished with just a few clicks. Futurist Ian Han notes that AI can perform functions “millions of times per second,” enabling perpetrators to strike en masse and simultaneously. Once access to a system is gained, AI tools take over data extraction, service disruption, or causing damage to critical infrastructures such as hospitals and water supply networks.
Fake voices and synthetic identities offer new avenues for deception. From financial loss to political misinformation and staged arrests, the possibilities that emerge are alarmingly expansive.
The Spread of Deepfakes and Attacks on Governments
The company Anthropic recently recorded cyberattacks by Chinese hackers using AI tools to breach major organizations and governments with almost no human involvement—one of the first documented cases of such scale.
Meanwhile, deepfake frauds surged by 3,000% within a year, according to DeepStrike, while Deloitte forecasts economic losses in the tens of billions of dollars in the coming years. By 2024, a deepfake attack was occurring approximately every five minutes, while fake digital identities increased dramatically, as reported by the Entrust Institute.
From Major Hits to New Era “Petty Crime”
Although most discussions focus on large-scale cyberattacks, experts point out that artificial intelligence can also enhance more “everyday” illegal activities.
Drones scouting isolated areas, robotic dogs opening doors, cars being hacked and moving on their own, AI systems offering “burglary instructions”—all these, as far-fetched as they may sound, are considered realistic future possibilities.
Most police departments still lack both the tools and training to address such incidents. Already in the U.S., some academies like Miami Dade College are beginning to integrate artificial intelligence systems into their training. At the same time, organizations such as the Police Executive Research Forum are calling for new policies and training models.
Sources:
Axios-Anthropic -DeepStrike- Deloitte – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston – Entrust – Institute for Cybersecurity
