COMMENT | The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has been a double-edged sword, offering remarkable advancements while simultaneously enabling a new breed of criminal activity.

Recent comprehensive reports from the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (Cetas) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) highlight the growing threat of AI-enabled crime worldwide.

For Malaysia, these developments are more than just distant concerns, as they represent a pressing and immediate challenge that demands attention.

The Cetas report, “AI and Serious Online Crime” (March 2025), paints a stark picture of how criminals are harnessing AI to automate, enhance, and scale illegal activities.