Polk County Sheriff's Office partners with Florida Polytechnic to create new AI lab

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is creating a new law enforcement unit to focus on artificial intelligence-driven cybercrime, with Florida Polytechnic University providing technical and research support.

“Modern law enforcement must stay ahead of the technological curve when it comes to preventing, combating and solving crime. “With the incredible potential benefits of artificial intelligence, there is a downside: Criminals will use the technology to commit crimes,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “This is not just an investigative unit – it is a holistic unit dedicated to vision in discovery and creativity. Its goal is to use what we learn to keep the community safe. We are proud to partner with Florida Polytechnic University to benefit from their recognized expertise and human talent to fight crime.

The unit will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining cutting-edge training and tools to identify AI-related crimes; assist in criminal investigations of AI-related crimes including cyberstalking, identity theft, extortion, hate crimes and more; identify new AI technology to combat abuse; check out new AI investigative software for use in law enforcement; provide ongoing updates on new AI technologies; maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging AI trends; identify and analyze deepfake and AI-modified images, video or audio; identify partnerships to investigate AI crime; implement best practices for AI criminal investigations; and providing training and support for AI-related investigations.

Florida Polytechnic University, based in Lakeland, will provide interns who will benefit from real-world professional experience working and developing skills in AI, through the provision of advanced technology solutions to the current systems of the County Sheriff's Office Polk.

“This working partnership with the Polk County Sheriff's Office is a natural fit with our mission to serve students and industry through excellence in engineering education, discovery and application and applied sciences,” said Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University. “We strive to find real-world applications to bring value to the education of our students and value to our community. This is another way for us to be leaders in building a technology-based economy in Florida.