GANGS TO USE AI TO DODGE JUSTICE

Crime Agency's fears over fake videos so realistic they'll fool juries

- MICHAEL KNOWLES Home Affairs Editor

MAJOR criminal enterprises will look to harness artificial intelligence to create "false alibis" and discredit judges, juries and witnesses - making it harder to convict dangerous gangsters.This startling assessment is from the National Crime Agency, Britain's FBI.

Its bosses fear the soaring number of fake images and videos created by the new technology, often posted on social media, could lead to jurors being less likely to trust real CCTV footage of suspects or incidents. Gangs may also create deepfake videos to give alibis for hitmen, drug dealers and thieves, ministers were told.

The scenario echoes TV thriller The Capture in which Met detective Rachel Carey, played by Holliday Grainger, battles state-sponsored manipulation of real-time video evidence. Its third series, seen as the best police drama since Line of Duty, continues on BBC One tonight.

In its National Strategic Assessment, the NCA said that in real life "it is highly likely that trust in the criminal justice system will be reduced by the proliferation of deepfake media and the degrading effect it has.

"While deepfake media detection capabilities are improving, it is almost certain they will at times lag behind improvements to generative artificial intelligence models.