A recent 48-page report from Europol, titled “The Unmanned Future(s): The impact of robotics and unmanned systems on law enforcement,” explores the implications of rapid advancements in AI and robotics for criminal activities and law enforcement by the year 2035. The report presents a futuristic scenario where intelligent machines are integrated into various sectors, including policing.
Research from Europol discusses potential challenges such as civil unrest stemming from job losses due to automation. It raises questions about societal perceptions of robots, particularly regarding the treatment of automated systems, which could affect police-community relations.
The report also highlights that robots could be repurposed for criminal activities. For instance, care robots can be hacked to gather sensitive information, while autonomous vehicles and drones pose risks of being weaponized. The report envisions scenarios where swarms of drones, potentially sourced from conflict zones, could be utilized by terrorists or organized crime to launch attacks or evade police detection.
Europol’s predictions suggest an increasing complexity in law enforcement as distinguishing between intentional and accidental behavior from robots becomes more challenging. The document proposes hypothetical methods, such as “RoboFreezer guns,” to deal with rogue robots, but acknowledges that such measures may not sufficiently mitigate threats.
Experts in robotics express skepticism regarding some of Europol’s more extreme forecasts. They emphasize that while cybersecurity threats are valid, predictions of widespread automation-related violence or terrorist tactics using drones might lack sufficient evidence. They agree on the importance of equipping law enforcement with necessary technologies and training to effectively address future challenges posed by criminals leveraging advanced technologies.
The discourse also raises the critical issue of accountability in policing, highlighting concerns about potential risks of privacy violations by law enforcement agencies using similar technologies.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/report/847956/robot-crime-wave-europe-police-prediction