AI Crimes Could be Met With Harsher Sentences, Warns Justice Department

The Justice Department has reportedly warned companies and individuals could meet harsher sentences for those who use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to advance crimes such as market manipulation, price fixing, fraud, and others. The warning comes as the department hones in on artificial intelligence enforcement.

For a long time, federal prosecutors have employed longer penalties for offenders whose actions are thought to pose an exceptionally dangerous risk to victims and the public and the same idea will seemingly apply to AI, as per Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

Monaco claims that prosecutors will push for harsher terms for both individual and corporate defendants when AI is purposefully abused to escalate a white-collar crime.

(Photo: STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
US Attorney General Merrick Garland gestures during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on January 24, 2023.

While the Justice Department assesses a company compliance program, harsher sentences may be imposed. Through this initiative, the department will evaluate how well a business can handle the risks related to AI technology. Such a program consists of a set of rules and procedures designed to spot misconduct and ensure that CEOs and employees are following the law.

Monaco also warned that prosecutors evaluate a company's compliance program based on how successfully it manages the company's biggest risks, which now include the potential of misusing artificial intelligence for most companies.

The warning comes as a former Google engineer was detained and charged after allegedly stealing AI secrets from the tech giant. According to a statement by Monaco, the engineer took more than 500 private files from Google that contained trade secrets while working covertly for Chinese companies to obtain an advantage in the competition for artificial intelligence technology.

AI Task Force Boom

The government proves to be increasingly moving against the potential misuse of AI, as the Justice Department's warning coincides with legislation about AI being introduced in at least 25 states. States including Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia have task forces or commissions established by their legislatures to investigate artificial intelligence. By executive order, several governors have also established AI task forces.

Washington state also saw a recent approval of Attorney General Bob Ferguson's proposal to create an AI task force. The task force will bring together industry representatives, labor unions, civil liberties organizations, and other relevant parties to address the advantages and disadvantages of AI and provide recommendations to the legislative branch.

AI Boom in the US

According to reports, AI technology is evolving quickly. Specifically, generative AI, or AI that produces text, images, or audio, has become extremely popular. Some of the fastest-growing consumer internet applications ever are tools like ChatGPT.

A recent poll conducted in North America revealed that 79% of participants had at least some experience with generative AI. Of those who use it often, 41% report doing so regularly, and 22% say they do it at work.