KUALA LUMPUR: Over-reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in investigations could compromise the effectiveness of evidence presented in court.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Technology Forensics Division director Wan Zulkifli Wan Jusoh said the use of AI without expert involvement should be limited, especially in technical, legal, and ethical areas.
“AI helps improve the quality of blurry images and videos through image enhancement techniques and pattern recognition.
“Even closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage can be clarified to identify suspects, making the evidence stronger in court.
“However, the use of AI comes with significant technical, legal, and ethical challenges.
“Total reliance on AI without human expertise can lead to misinterpretation of evidence. Furthermore, the cost of training officers and the absence of a dedicated regulatory body are also causes for concern,” he said.
Wan Zulkifli, who also chairs the Digital Forensics Working Group, said existing laws must be fully enforced to ensure the ethical and transparent use of AI.
“In Malaysia, several existing laws form the regulatory framework, such as the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Computer Crimes Act 1997, and the Digital Signature Act 1997, alongside international standards such as ISO/IEC 42001:2023,” he said.
“AI is merely a tool.
“Its effectiveness depends on human expertise, ethical integrity, and the legal framework we build. If managed wisely, AI can strengthen justice and enhance national security,” he said.
Wan Zulkifli added that AI is now regarded as a catalyst for strengthening the country’s digital forensic investigation capabilities.
He said integrating AI enables investigations to be conducted more efficiently, as smart algorithms can scan millions of data logs in a short time compared with manual methods.
“AI saves investigation time, reduces the risk of human error, and allows investigating officers to focus on strategic analysis.
“In cases of electronic banking system intrusions, AI can detect suspicious login attempts from overseas within just a few hours,” he said.
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