Europol seeks AI deployment in serious crime cases

Europol is seeking a faster pathway to deploy artificial intelligence tools in urgent investigations, citing delays of six to eight months caused by mandatory data protection and fundamental rights assessments under the GDPR and the AI Act. Deputy Executive Director Jürgen Ebner emphasized that a streamlined emergency procedure should not override existing prohibitions, including on profiling and real-time facial recognition, and would be reserved for situations involving threats to life.

The agency has expanded its technological capabilities in recent years, including big data analytics and decryption, as online dimensions now feature in almost all serious crime investigations. Ebner noted that investments in AI, lawful decryption, and anticipated quantum technologies impose significant costs and operational burdens, and that Europol could support national forces through technology-focused cooperation with private parties and by seconding expert analysts.

The European Commission has pledged to more than double Europol’s staff and table a legislative proposal in Q2 2026 to strengthen the agency’s capacity against criminal groups operating across physical and digital environments. While some AI Act carve-outs allow limited use of certain high-risk tools for serious crimes, lawmakers and civil society continue to warn against expanding police access to AI without robust safeguards.

Europol’s core role remains cross-border information sharing rather than direct policing powers. Ebner underscored that expanding Europol should not entail arrest or search authorities at EU level, as national competence over coercive measures will remain intact. The discussion centers on accelerating compliant AI deployment while preserving fundamental rights and ensuring oversight.