Thomas Unise
A new report from Europol’s Innovation Lab paints a concerning picture of how autonomous technologies could be weaponized by criminals and terrorists within the next decade, creating unprecedented challenges for law enforcement.
The Robot Crime Threat Landscape
By 2035, Europol predicts law enforcement will face multiple robot-enabled crimes including:
- Autonomous drones being used as tools for theft
- Self-driving vehicles causing pedestrian injuries
- Humanoid robots with sophisticated human interactions making it difficult to distinguish between intentional and accidental behavior
- Healthcare robots being hacked, putting patients at risk
The report also suggests that widespread automation may create a new class of desperate individuals who turn to “cybercrime, vandalism, and organized theft” after losing their jobs to robots.
Signs Already Emerging
While 2035 may seem distant, evidence of this technological crime shift is already appearing. Autonomous drones have become common in conflict zones like Ukraine, with advanced weapons technology already “spilling over into organised crime and terrorism.” Europol notes an increase in suspicious drone activity around European infrastructure and the emergence of “crime-as-a-service” drone pilots offering their services online.
Law Enforcement Response
Police forces will need to evolve rapidly to address these emerging threats. Officers may need to determine whether accidents involving autonomous vehicles resulted from cyberattacks or simple malfunctions. The report suggests law enforcement might deploy specialized anti-robot equipment like “RoboFreezer guns” and “nets with built-in grenades” to neutralize rogue drones.
Expert Perspectives
Expert opinions on Europol’s predictions vary. University of Kent roboticist Giovanni Luca Masala agrees criminals will inevitably exploit new technologies but acknowledges the difficulty of making precise predictions given the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Other experts voiced concerns about privacy invasions from both criminals and law enforcement using advanced surveillance. Some experts remain skeptical about the timeline, with Locus Robotics CCO Denis Niezgoda pointing to both technical and regulatory barriers to “extreme scenarios” materializing by 2035.
As Catherine De Bolle, Europol’s executive director, stated: “Just as the internet and smartphones presented significant opportunities as well as challenges, so will this technology.”
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