In today’s age, incidents of cybercrimes have increased by nearly 70%. This highlights the growing prevalence of financial crimes in this digital age. However, with the advancement of technology, there are more foolproof ways to prevent economic crimes with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence(AI). Let’s take a closer look and understand how AI can be used to prevent financial crimes.
Table of Contents
What Is Considered A Financial Crime?
What exactly constitutes a financial crime? According to federal offense attorneys in Indianapolis, this is a white-collar crime committed by individuals or organizations who want to gain a financial or personal advantage. These comprise the following:
- Embezzlement
- Bribery
- Insider Trading
- Fraud
- Money Laundering
This can heavily impact individuals and businesses if committed. Punishments can be as serious as time spent in federal prison or even the death penalty for felonies classified as Class
To avoid economic crime cases such as these there are preventative measures we can take as technology grows and evolves.
The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence may seem like a complex tool in today’s digital age, as we may not completely understand its algorithms and abilities yet. But as the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) explains it, AI is “technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.” There are various forms of AI such as:
- Machine Learning Algorithms: Algorithms that can identify patterns that can indicate fraud or money laundering if
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): These can help analyze unstructured data such as emails and transaction notes to reveal potential fraudulent activities surrounding financial
- Predictive Analytics: Analyze historical data to predict potential future fraudulent This can help us set proactive measures.
- Real-time Monitoring: Processes real-time transactions in large This will flag suspicious activities instantly and lead to further investigation.
- Behavioral Biometrics: Analyzes behavior and can identify any patterns and mouse movements to identify potential account takeovers or unauthorized
How AI Is Used In Preventing Financial Crimes
There are a couple of ways that AI is used in preventing financial crimes or identity theft.
Fraud Detection Systems
As mentioned earlier, AI algorithms can analyze transaction patterns to identify odd behaviors through fraud detection systems. Some of these systems can include real-time transaction monitoring, multifactor authentication, and customer behavior profiling.
Customer Verification
Customer verification is used to identify individuals and organizations. In Know Your Customer (KYC) processes this is slowly being integrated to enhance efficiency and accuracy. This is accomplished through risk assessment and even face recognition which we use on our phones today.
Benefits Of AI In Financial Crime Prevention
The benefits of AI financial crime prevention can help ensure individuals and organizations can remain vigilant and responsive to new potential threats.
The benefits of fraud detection systems and customer verification can result in:
- Speed and efficiency: This can process large volumes of data much faster than human
- Accuracy and consistency: Improved accuracy can reduce false positives through AI-driven
- Adaptability: AI systems can evolve with emerging financial crime By leveraging machine and collaborative learning, AI can effectively fight the ever-changing landscape of economic crimes.
Challenges & Limitations
However, with benefits, there are also some challenges and limitations that you can still encounter. These include:
- Data privacy concerns: This can cross borders of data collection and user privacy
- Bias in AI algorithms: Risks of biased algorithms and patterns may also become present and fairness in financial services can be
- Dependence on technology: Relying solely on AI without the oversight of a real human being may cause errors and
Future Trends
As the use of AI increases, the potential for it to work alongside blockchain and cybersecurity measures rises. This can be used as another protective measure and may change the game of cybersecurity. As the regulatory landscape surrounding AI in financial crime is also evolving it does so in response to technological advancement and emerging challenges. By ensuring that clear standards and accountability measures are set, regulators will keep an eye on how AI can be used responsibly when fighting against financial crimes and also fostering innovation in the industry.
Implementing AI In Our Financial Practices
By understanding how economic crimes can occur and the increasing presence of AI in our digital age, we can better understand how to prevent financial incidents from emerging.
Encouraging others and yourself to consider the role of AI in financial practices or businesses can help us to continually stay informed about technological advancements and avoid being involved in financial crime activity.