Harness AI before criminals outpace you, criminologist tells cops

Criminologist P Sundramoorthy has urged Malaysian police to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to stay ahead of criminals who are increasingly using digital platforms, encrypted communications, and advanced technology.

Sundramoorthy, from Universiti Sains Malaysia, highlighted that criminals no longer adhere to physical borders or traditional communication methods, instead relying on digital tools and AI-assisted techniques like deepfakes. With increased accessibility to AI, law enforcement faces both a significant challenge and a major opportunity.

While criminals can exploit technology faster than existing policing systems can adapt, AI can provide unprecedented capabilities in spotting patterns, connecting information, anticipating threats, and investigating intricate cases. Sundramoorthy proposed the creation of a national AI command centre within the police force to serve as an operational center for integrating AI-assisted crime intelligence, mapping crime hotspots, monitoring cybercrimes, and analyzing organized crime networks.

The police already hold vast amounts of data through police reports, investigation files, intelligence databases, CCTV footage, traffic information, financial crime investigations, and other sources. However, the challenge lies in converting this vast pool of data into actionable intelligence. AI can assist in this process by sorting, categorizing, and correlating information, allowing investigators to focus on human aspects of policing, such as interviewing witnesses, assessing credibility, establishing intent, corroborating evidence, and building cases.

Sundramoorthy emphasized that AI is a tool, not a silver bullet, and should assist rather than replace police judgment. While AI cannot replace the experience, investigative skills, community cooperation, and human judgment of police officers, it can significantly enhance their ability to process information quickly and turn it into actionable intelligence.

Malaysia must not wait until criminals outpace the institutions responsible for combating them. The ultimate goal should be human-centered policing bolstered by AI, not machine-controlled policing. The police force of the future should be able to transform information into intelligence, intelligence into prevention, and prevention into public safety.

Officers should receive training in AI use for policing, and the force should develop protocols for AI-generated information to ensure it serves as leads, not directly as evidence.