Criminal networks are making increasingly effective use of AI and other digital technologies. According to Professor Ana Isabel Barros, the key is therefore not more AI, but how we use it. Only then can we keep pace with the growing complexity of organized crime and criminal undermining. In her inaugural lecture on 8 July, she explored both the opportunities AI offers and the areas where the technology falls short.
The developments highlighted by Barros are more relevant than ever. As digitalization and globalization continue to accelerate, criminal networks now operate seamlessly across both the physical and digital worlds. They adapt rapidly to measures designed to stop them and often exploit new technologies faster, and with fewer constraints, than the organizations tasked with combating them. At the same time, organized crime, cybercrime, and geopolitical conflicts are becoming increasingly interconnected. Crime is fundamentally changing 'The nature of crime is changing fundamentally', says Barros. 'The frontline is no longer confined to the streets or national borders. It extends far beyond them and deep into the digital domain. Criminal activities increasingly take place at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds, where developments in one domain directly affect the other, and vice versa. This interconnectedness not only strengthens criminal networks but also amplifies the scale and impact of organized and subversive crime.' Hypercrime calls for a new approach According to Barros, these developments require breaking down traditional boundaries between law enforcement, local government, and defense, as well as between cyber and physical security and between military and civilian domains. Given the speed at which criminal networks adapt, investing in anticipation, early detection, and the resilience of citizens and organizations is essential. Barros describes this emerging reality as hypercrime: a form of crime in which physical and digital threats, organized crime, and geopolitical developments become increasingly intertwined. The role of AI Against this backdrop, Barros examines how AI is both exploited by criminals and used to identify patterns, vulnerabilities, and connections at an earlier stage. At the same time, she stresses that technology is not a silver bullet. Responsible and careful use of AI, guided by ethical and legal principles, is essential. This leads to the central question of her inaugural lecture: are we still ahead of the curve, or are we at risk of falling behind? 'The race will not be won by better AI alone', says Barros. 'The real challenge is to combine technology with human expertise, critical thinking, and collaboration within and across organizations. Only then can we harness the opportunities of AI without losing sight of its risks.' Data science and AI for a resilient society The chair, established in 2020, is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, the Province of North Brabant, the Municipality of Tilburg, RIEC East Brabant, and RIEC Zeeland–West Brabant. It is based at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences in support of the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS). Barros' research is conducted within the JADS Center for Data Science and AI against Organized and Subversive Crime. Researchers at the Center study patterns and networks in organized crime, examine the role of technology in criminal activities, and develop evidence-based interventions and policy strategies to strengthen society's resilience.