CBI Urged to Collaborate with Academia and Industry to Address AI-Driven Challenges in Law Enforcement

CBI Urged to Adapt to AI-Driven Changes in Law Enforcement

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also holds the portfolios for Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, has called upon the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to seek collaborations with academia, industries, and startups to keep pace with the rapid changes brought about by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the realm of law enforcement and criminal investigations 1

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Ethical Dilemmas in AI-Driven Crimes

Speaking at the 21st D P Kohli memorial lecture on the CBI's 62nd Foundation Day, Vaishnaw highlighted the ethical challenges posed by AI in the context of criminal investigations. He raised thought-provoking questions about the nature of culpability when AI agents commit crimes, asking, "Can you arrest an AI agent? Is it the AI creating company that is liable or is it the AI agent that is liable?" 1

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The Need for a Techno-Legal Approach

Vaishnaw emphasized that traditional legal approaches alone would not suffice in addressing AI-led crimes. He advocated for a techno-legal approach, suggesting that India needs to combine technological solutions with legal frameworks to effectively tackle emerging challenges in the digital age 2

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Collaboration with Academia and Industry

The minister highlighted ongoing collaborations between the government and academic institutions in developing AI tools. He cited an example of IIT Jodhpur creating a tool to authentically identify deepfakes, demonstrating the potential of such partnerships 2

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AI: A Double-Edged Sword

While acknowledging the potential risks posed by AI, such as digital frauds, cybercrimes, and deepfakes, Vaishnaw also pointed out its capacity to offer solutions to these very challenges. He noted that multiple government departments are actively seeking collaborations with emerging startups and academia to harness modern technology and resources 2

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Government Initiatives to Address AI Challenges

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been proactive in addressing AI-related challenges. In December last year, it sought proposals from startups and relevant stakeholders to build AI-powered tools for detecting deepfakes. The ministry is also working on developing a mechanism to evaluate the safety and trustworthiness of AI solutions 2

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Future Cyber Threat Landscape

According to The India Cyber Threat Report 2025 by the Data Security Council, AI-driven attacks are expected to dominate cyber threats in India. The report predicts that cybercriminals will leverage generative AI to create more sophisticated and adaptive threats, including AI-powered malware. Sectors such as Healthcare, Hospitality, and BFSI are likely to face increased sophisticated threats, while government entities remain prime targets 2

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