Specialists from Bolivia are being trained in artificial intelligence applied to financial investigations

Nowadays, artificial intelligence is a widely used tool that criminal organisations also employ to make money laundering more sophisticated, creating an urgent need to adapt investigative techniques. In light of this situation, it is imperative that experts and prosecutors master the potential of the technology, understand its scope and know how to make the most of it in order to maintain an operational edge.

With this in mind, a highly specialised seminar focusing on artificial intelligence applied to financial investigations and the fight against money laundering has taken place in the Bolivian cities of La Paz and Santa Cruz. The seminar was organised by the European Union project on combating organised crime in Bolivia, implemented by FIAP, IILA and CIVIPOL.

The seminar was delivered by two specialists from the Spanish Civil Guard, experts in artificial intelligence and the investigation of economic crime and focused on big data analysis and pattern recognition using algorithms. In addition, practical case studies were carried out, enabling those attending the seminar to quickly grasp complex concepts.

The Spanish specialists installed artificial intelligence applications directly onto the participants’ computers, ensuring they can use them permanently, privately and without the need for an internet connection. Furthermore, this has enabled them to learn about new methods of analysis and technological tools, as these are now integrated into their own equipment.

This activity has enabled members of the Special Force for Combating Crime, the Special Force for Combating Drug Trafficking, participating prosecutors and staff from the Financial Investigations Unit (UIF) to substantially strengthen their skills in tracing illicit money flows and to now have a more agile and precise response capability to neutralise the financial strategies of organised crime.