The European Union's law enforcement agency wants to speed up how it can access artificial intelligence-based tools to fight serious crime, a senior official said.
Photo The National Judicial College
criminals “having a great time” using AI “for malicious purposes”but authorities at Europol are hampered by legal checks when trying to use new technologies, Jürgen Ebner, the agency's deputy executive director, told POLITICO.
Authorities are currently required to carry out data protection and fundamental rights assessments under EU law. These checks can delay the use of AI by up to eight months, Ebner said. Expediting the process could make a difference in sensitive situations, “when it is a threat to life”he added.
Europol calls for quick procedures
In recent years, Europol has developed its technological capabilities — from analyzing huge volumes of data to decrypting communications between criminals. The authorities want to fight “fire with fire”in a world where AI is increasingly fueling cybercrime. However, researchers and activists constantly draw attention to the risk of letting the police use these technologies without sufficient legal safeguards.
Speaking in Malta at a meeting of data protection specialists from European police forces, Ebner said it was “absolutely essential” have a fast-track procedure to allow law enforcement to use AI tools in emergency situations without having to follow “a highly complex compliance process”.
Data protection and fundamental rights impact assessment is mandatory under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the new AI Act. Ebner pointed out that these processes can take six to eight months, but made clear that an emergency procedure would not circumvent bans on profiling or real-time facial recognition.
Law enforcement already benefits from certain exemptions under the AI Act. In principle, the use of real-time facial recognition in public spaces is prohibited, but EU states can allow derogations in cases of serious crimes.
Digital police
Ebner, who coordinates Europol's internal governance, said that “almost all inquiries” they now have an online component. The investment required in technology and innovation to keep up with criminals is “a huge burden on law enforcement agencies”he said.
The Europol official held discussions with European police chiefs regarding the future expansion of the agency. “They would like Europol to do more in the area of innovation, technology and cooperation with the private sector“, Ebner stated.
“Artificial intelligence is extremely expensive. Legal decryption platforms are expensive. The same will happen with quantum computing”he added. Europol could strengthen Europe's digital defenses, for example by seconding specialized technology analysts to national investigations, Ebner said.
Europol's main mission has always been to support national police in the investigation of serious cross-border crimes through the exchange of information. However, many member states have so far been reluctant to transfer too much operational power to the European level.
