The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is creating a new law enforcement unit to focus on artificial intelligence-driven cybercrime, with Florida Polytechnic University providing technical and research support.
“Modern law enforcement needs to stay ahead of the technological curve, when it comes to preventing, fighting and solving crime. With the incredible upside potential benefits of artificial intelligence, there is a downside: criminals will use the technology to commit crime,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “This is not only an investigative unit – it is a holistic unit dedicated to vision in discovery and creativity. Its purpose is to use what we learn to keep the community safe. We are proud to partner with Florida Polytechnic University to benefit from their renowned expertise and human talent to help fight crime.”
The unit will be responsible for obtaining, and maintaining, cutting-edge training and tools to identify AI crime; assisting in criminal investigations into AI-related crimes including cyber harassment, identity theft, extortion, hate crimes and more; identifying new AI technology to combat misuse; vetting new AI investigative software for use in law enforcement; providing ongoing updates on new AI technology; maintaining up-to-date knowledge on emerging AI-trends; identifying and analyzing deepfake and AI-altered images, video or audio; identifying partnerships to investigate AI-crime; implementing best practices for AI criminal investigations; and providing training and assistance to AI-related investigations.
Florida Polytechnic University, based in Lakeland, will provide interns who will benefit through real-world professional experience working and developing skills in AI, through their delivery of advanced technology solutions to current Polk County Sheriff’s Office systems.
“This working partnership with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is a natural fit for our mission to serve students and industry through excellence in education, discovery and application of engineering and applied sciences,” Florida Polytechnic University President Randy K. Avent said. “We strive to find real-life applications to bring value to our students’ education and value to our community. This is one more way that we are leaders in building Florida’s technology-based economy.”
