Dubai Police study flags growing threat to digital evidence

Dubai Police has issued a warning about the growing threat posed by increasingly convincing artificial intelligence deepfakes. These AI-generated images, videos and recordings could undermine trust in genuine digital content, posing new challenges for criminal investigations and digital security. The Future Foresight Centre within the force has identified two interconnected threats: criminals leveraging synthetic images and voices for fraudulent purposes and impersonation, as well as the potential dismissal of genuine recordings as fabricated.

Both developments could complicate the way investigators, organizations and the public evaluate information. Brigadier Dr Hamdan Ahmad Hamdan Al Ghassiya, the centre's director, highlighted the growing ability of generative AI to produce realistic audiovisual material, which could facilitate identity theft, digital deception and information manipulation.

The study stresses the importance of determining the source, authenticity and integrity of digital content, not just identifying manipulated material. Verification efforts must address whether suspicious content is fabricated or if seemingly legitimate content can be proven genuine. While not all digital recordings are unreliable, the assessment indicates a potential shift in the burden of assessment as sophisticated manipulation tools become more accessible.

This concern extends to individuals, businesses and law enforcement alike, with Al Ghassiya describing the situation as a dual security challenge. Police and security organizations are urged to enhance their capabilities to counter emerging threats before they become widespread. The centre advocates for monitoring technological advancements, identifying early warning signs, assessing risks and examining future scenarios.

The study also suggests that artificial intelligence can be utilized to detect manipulated content, helping to support detection and verification. However, it emphasizes that automated detection alone is insufficient and that public awareness, digital verification skills and responsible information treatment are essential, alongside institutional procedures to respond to evolving threats.

The warning follows misinformation's prominence in international risk assessments, with the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 ranking misinformation and disinformation as the second most significant global risk over a two-year horizon. The Dubai Police assessment does not introduce new criminal penalties or alter rules governing the admissibility of evidence; instead, it focuses on anticipating technological developments and improving preparedness among security institutions and the public.

The study was released during Cybersecurity Awareness Month and ties into Dubai Police's Safe UAE Through Your Digital Awareness campaign, which involves the Dubai Electronic Security Center and aims to enhance public understanding of online crime and cybersecurity risks. The study underscores the shared responsibility of various groups in addressing digital deception and maintaining accurate assessments of digital information.