Artificial Intelligence Economic Crimes: Threats and Solutions

Research and regulation of artificial intelligence aim to balance the benefits of innovation against any potential harm and disruption. However, one of the unintended consequences of the recent surge in AI research is the potential redirection of AI technologies to facilitate criminal activities, which we refer to as AI crime. In theory, this is made possible through published experiments in automating fraud targeting social media users, as well as demonstrations of AI-based manipulations of simulated markets. Nevertheless, since AI crime is still a relatively nascent and inherently interdisciplinary field—ranging from socio-legal studies to independent and formal sciences—it is not yet possible to make definitive judgments about its future. This article provides the first systematic and interdisciplinary research analysis of foreseeable threats posed by AI crime and offers law enforcement and policymakers a combination of current challenges and potential solutions.