Criminals are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to commit technology-related crimes, leading to a surge in ransomware cases in the first three quarters of this year. The number of such cases increased by 18 percent compared to the same period last year, with a total of 40 cases recorded. However, overall tech crime decreased 12 percent to 21,573 incidents, and total losses fell by 15 percent to nearly HK$3.9 billion. Speaking from the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, Chief Superintendent Raymond Lam highlighted the growing use of autonomous AI systems in cyberattacks, emphasizing the speed, volume, and intrusiveness these AI tools can bring to criminal operations. He noted that criminals are using AI to enhance reconnaissance and phishing attacks, which often precede ransomware incidents. In response to the evolving threat, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Police Force has joined Interpol in a year-long AI-powered cyber operation targeting phishing and fraudulent links. This initiative uses an AI-analysis engine developed by Hong Kong police to identify and neutralize suspicious websites, preventing them from impacting a wider audience. According to Interpol’s Assistant Director of Cybercrime Operations, Enrique Hernandez-Gonzalez, this intelligence has been shared with 47 jurisdictions, with approximately 90 percent of the links investigated becoming inaccessible. This second phase of the operation, which now involves over 20 jurisdictions across five continents, was launched last month.