AI Powers Crime: Europol Warns of EU Threat

Europol has warned that artificial intelligence is amplifying organized crime within the European Union, posing a significant threat to societal stability. Emerging technologies are enabling criminals to refine fraud schemes, execute sophisticated cyberattacks, and launder illicit funds, while simultaneously complicating efforts to combat illegal activities.

The EU Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment 2025, compiled using intelligence from law enforcement agencies across 27 EU member states, highlights that criminal networks are leveraging AI to conduct more precise and devastating attacks. According to Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, cybercrime has evolved into a “digital arms race”, targeting governments, businesses, and ordinary citizens. Some of these attacks extend beyond financial gain, serving political objectives and becoming integral to destabilization campaigns.

AI has also exacerbated the proliferation of online content linked to child exploitation, making it increasingly difficult to identify perpetrators. The technology’s ability to generate highly realistic fake media allows fraudsters to deceive victims, fabricate identities, and engage in extortion using deepfake videos and voice cloning.

Furthermore, the report underscores that nation-states are increasingly enlisting criminal organizations as proxies for attacks on critical infrastructure and government institutions. Traditional organized crime syndicates and state-sponsored hackers are now collaborating more frequently, blurring the lines between financially motivated and politically driven cyber operations.

Poland’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Maciej Duszczyk, referenced a recent cyberattack on a hospital, which disrupted essential medical services. He noted that AI-enhanced tactics allowed criminals to optimize the attack, making it far more destructive.

Europol’s report emphasizes that technology is becoming a catalyst for crime, accelerating and enhancing the efficiency of illicit operations. In response to these escalating threats, the European Commission plans to bolster security measures and double Europol’s workforce in the coming years. According to EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, security must become a cornerstone of all EU policymaking.