Can AI Catch Criminals at Sea? | Dyhia Belhabib | TED

TL;DR

Ocean crimes, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and forced labor, are happening out of sight of authorities, highlighting the need for proactive enforcement and the use of technology.

Transcript

I am a scientist, and for a living, I snitch on, profile and investigate ocean crime and its behavior, which for someone who A, cannot swim -- I sink like a needle, (Laughter) and B, was born in a small landlocked Algerian village, seems unlikely. Yet here I was, a few years ago in the port of Dakar in Senegal, to investigate a Spanish-owned vessel... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 Ocean crimes, such as modern-day slavery and forced labor, are prevalent and often hidden from authorities.
• 😄 The lack of visibility into these crimes allows criminals to operate with ease and carries significant societal consequences.
• 🌊 Technology, combined with human involvement, is essential in combating ocean crimes effectively.
• 😒 Proactive enforcement, including the use of criminal records for vessels, can help target and apprehend criminals involved in ocean crimes.
• 🍝 Ocean crimes have tripled in the past decade, emphasizing the urgency for improved enforcement methods.
• 🤑 Money laundering from maritime drug trafficking impacts real estate prices, contributing to the affordability crisis in places like Vancouver.
• 🤢 Drug trafficking via sea routes remains a significant problem, with over 9.2 million shipping containers filled with narcotics reaching American coasts each year.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some examples of ocean crimes?

Ocean crimes can include illegal fishing, drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, terrorism, murder, and more. These crimes often go unnoticed and are carried out in remote areas of the ocean.

Q: How do ocean crimes impact society?

Ocean crimes can have significant impacts on society, such as contributing to the increase in real estate prices through money laundering from maritime drug trafficking. Additionally, drug overdoses, fueled by narcotics entering the country by sea, have become a leading cause of youth deaths in the United States.

Q: How are criminals using technology in ocean crimes?

Criminals involved in ocean crimes are using advanced technology to stay ahead of law enforcement. For example, Spanish mafia organizations use autonomous submarines for logistical support in drug trafficking, while pirates use satellite systems to detect and capture vessels for ransom.

Q: How can proactive enforcement and technology help combat ocean crimes?

Transitioning from reactive to proactive enforcement is crucial in combating ocean crimes. By creating a criminal record for vessels and their operators, as well as utilizing powerful artificial intelligence investigators like Hava, law enforcement can identify high-risk ships and criminal networks, leading to more effective enforcement efforts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ocean crimes, such as modern-day slavery and forced labor, are often hidden from authorities and occur out of sight.

• The lack of visibility into these crimes is exploited by criminals, who engage in activities like drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, terrorism, and murder.

• Current policing techniques and enforcement models are outdated and ineffective in stopping these illicit operations.