Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) discussed how advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) could be used by law enforcement against those who would use it for criminal purposes in a recent House Judiciary hearing.
"Today's hearing, among other things, highlights one of the most urgent of these threats [criminal use of AI], which is the exploitation of children through AI," Rep. Lee began. "From synthetic child abuse to predatory chatbots to real-time location spoofing, we are seeing criminals use AI to expand both the scale and sophistication of their crimes."
However, she also pointed out that "AI can also be part of the solution in cases like Operation Renewed Hope. AI helped federal agents identify and rescue minor victims who might otherwise have never been found."
Rep. Lee then asked the hearing witness, Overwatch Data founder Zara Perumal, for her recommendations on "what you would recommend Congress prioritize to better equip law enforcement with the tools they need to stay ahead of AI-enabled threats."
Perumal answered by saying that "strengthening public and private partnerships" is a starting point, prompting the Florida Congresswoman to ask, "Are there specific legislative or funding priorities that you or your clients have identified that you think would be impactful?"
The Overwatch Data founder replied that ID fraud is a significant area deserving of attention, as criminals use AI to impersonate people and conceal their identities.
Lee then turned to TRM Labs' Global Head of Policy, Ari Redbord, with a similar question: how AI is currently used to conduct crime.
"What we see AI doing today is supercharging criminal activity that we have seen exist for some time," Redbord answered, adding, "So now you do not need ransomware affiliates because you could have AI agents that are automatically deploying malware. We are seeing cyberattacks at scale by North Korea and other types of cyber actors, and then we are seeing the laundering of the funds that are stolen move faster than ever before."
Ultimately, Redbord concluded, "It is the tools and the training to ensure that every single law enforcement and national security professional has access to the same tools that many cybercriminals are using today, and obviously the funds necessary to support that, as well as the training."
