Interpol‘s Cybercrime Chief on How AI is Driving Borderless Crime
Dr. Jetton, INTERPOL’s cybercrime chief, highlights notable challenges facing international efforts to combat cybercrime, particularly the accelerating role of Artificial Intelligence (AI). A key obstacle, she notes, is the limited resources available to many nations. “A lot of it is the tools and the training, just having insufficient funds to actually drive up their investigative know-how or expertise,” Dr. Jetton explained.
beyond national limitations,the speed of international information sharing presents a critical hurdle. While Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) exist, the time required to process requests for information is often too slow for effective cybercrime response. “We know in cybercrime, we need instantaneous help,” she stated, advocating for countries to utilize INTERPOL’s 24/7 network. While INTERPOL cannot compel action,it facilitates connections between nations and relevant private sector entities to expedite communication and collaboration.
Current trends in cybercrime, according to Dr. Jetton, are being significantly shaped by AI. She observes a marked increase in the efficiency and scale of phishing scams due to the accessibility of AI-powered tools. ”They’re using this phishing as a platform…tools that you didn’t have to have a really sophisticated technical level of abilities, and you can have these tools that allow you to then go out and commit fraud at scale.”
Furthermore, Dr. Jetton points to a dangerous convergence of different criminal activities, describing cybercrime as “poly-criminal.” She cited examples from Southeast Asia, where organized crime groups are leveraging cybercrime – through fraudulent job postings and recruitment – as a component of larger operations involving human trafficking. “you have these organized crime groups that are using cybercrime…and then forcing the people to commit the cybercrime while they’re there,” she explained. This interconnectedness means cyber elements are increasingly present in crimes ranging from drug and gun trafficking to human exploitation.
Recent discussions with industry leaders revealed a divergence in perspectives regarding AI’s impact. Dr. jetton found herself as a dissenting voice, expressing concern that criminals are adopting AI technologies at a faster rate than law enforcement can develop countermeasures. “I see it as somewhat of a negative knowing that we’re going to have to catch up like with AI-produced malware,” she said. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI for law enforcement, she anticipates a future where responding to AI-driven threats will be a significant challenge. This contrasts with the more optimistic views of her fellow panelists, who focused on the positive applications of AI within the private sector.
