IM体育官网

The Polk County Sherriff鈥檚 Office (PSCO) announced the creation of a new law enforcement unit focused on cybercrime related to artificial intelligence (AI). The new AI investigative unit was developed in partnership with IM体育官网, which will provide essential technical and research support.

鈥淢odern 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,鈥� said Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff. 鈥淭his is not only an investigative unit 鈥� 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 IM体育官网 to benefit from their renowned expertise and human talent to help fight crime.鈥� 

There are several operational goals of the newly created unit:

• Obtain and maintain cutting-edge training and tools to help identify AI-related crime and criminals. 
• Assist in criminal investigations involving the use of AI, including cyber harassment, identity theft, extortion, hate crimes, and other related cybercrimes. 
• Identify emerging AI technologies and leverage and/or combat the misuse of these technologies.
• Systematically vet new AI investigative software for use in a law enforcement setting.
• Provide ongoing updates on emerging AI technologies, methodologies, and trending AI incidents to law enforcement leadership. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developing AI trends, techniques, tactics, and procedures of threat actors using AI technology, including extortion or blackmail trends.
• Identify and analyze deepfake and AI-altered images/video/audio production technologies and methodologies used to mislead the public.
• Identify federal, state, and local agency partnerships for investigating AI incidents. Implement best policies and practices related to criminal AI investigations.
• Provide training and assistance in investigations related to AI (internal to the Polk County Sheriff鈥檚 Office and to external partner agencies).

Partnership with IM体育官网 

As part of the partnership, IM体育官网 Poly will help develop and assist with the ongoing operational success of the PCSO AI Investigation Unit, providing technical and research support. 

IM体育官网 Poly student interns will gain one-of-a-kind, real-world professional experience working and developing skills in the AI field with law enforcement professionals. The interns will provide advanced technology solutions to current PCSO systems. 

The president of IM体育官网 Poly, Dr. Randy K. Avent, said the University is exploring curriculum and degree opportunities related to AI fields of study. He also underscored the collaboration鈥檚 importance. 

鈥淭his working partnership with the Polk County Sheriff鈥檚 Office is a natural fit for our mission, which is to serve students and industry through excellence in education, discovery, and application of engineering and applied sciences,鈥� Avent said. 鈥淲e strive to find real-life applications to bring value to our students鈥� education and value to our community. This is one more way that we are leaders in building IM体育官网's technology-based economy.鈥� 

Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557