Florida Sheriff’s Agency Teams with University to Launch AI Cybercrime Unit

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is creating a new law enforcement unit that will focus on artificial intelligence and associated cybercrime. Florida Polytechnic University students and faculty will provide technical and research support, Florida Politics reports..

“Modern law enforcement needs to stay ahead of the technological curve when it comes to preventing, fighting, and solving crime. With the incredible upside potential benefits of artificial intelligence, there is a downside: criminals will use the technology to commit crime,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

The new unit will:

— Obtain and maintain cutting-edge training and tools to help identify AI-related crime and criminals.

— Assist in criminal investigations involving the use of AI, including cyber harassment, identity theft, extortion, hate crimes and other related cybercrimes.

— Identify emerging AI technologies and leverage and/or combat the misuse of these technologies.

— Identify and analyze deepfake and AI-altered images/video/audio production technologies and methodologies used to mislead the public.

— Provide training and assistance in investigations related to AI (internal to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and to external partner agencies).