The artificial intelligence sector, which has made its mark on the year 2023, continues to receive significant statements. According to a report by Reuters, law enforcement and intelligence officials in the United States have warned that developments in artificial intelligence (AI) could facilitate cybercrimes such as hacking, fraud methods, and money laundering.
Notable Developments in the Field of Artificial Intelligence
National Security Agency’s cybersecurity director Rob Joyce, stated at the International Cyber Security Conference held at Fordham University in Manhattan on January 9, that the field of artificial intelligence helps reduce the technological knowledge needed to commit such crimes:
“Artificial intelligence will make those who misuse it more effective and dangerous.”
However, Joyce also pointed out that the AI sector could be a great tool for U.S. authorities to more effectively track down such illegal activities. James Smith, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, also spoke at the conference, noting that the FBI has witnessed an increase in cybercrimes due to the lowering of the technical threshold by the AI field.
U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn Breon Peace was another speaker who emphasized the rapid emergence of significant methods generated by artificial intelligence that could deceive systems usually preventing cybercrimes. Peace shared the following remarks:
“This development could weaken the control system we have developed over decades by enabling criminals to open accounts on a large scale.”
Artificial Intelligence and Fraud Crimes
Jimmy Su, the chief security officer of Binance, in an interview last year, expressed this very thought, noting that fraud methods in the field of artificial intelligence have become better at deceiving Know Your Customer (KYC) controls:
“Artificial intelligence will overcome these frauds over time. So, this is not always something we can rely on.”
Data obtained by cybersecurity company SumSub revealed a tenfold increase in fraudulent activities across all sectors globally from 2022 to 2023. Last year, many prominent figures, including actor Tom Hanks and popular YouTuber MrBeast, were forced to issue statements regarding unauthorized deep fake videos used to sell a product.