ChatGPT

The release and widespread use of ChatGPT – a large language model (LLM) developed

by OpenAI – has created significant public attention, chiefly due to its ability to quickly

provide ready-to-use answers that can be applied to a vast amount of different

contexts.

These models hold masses of potential. Machine learning, once expected to handle

only mundane tasks, has proven itself capable of complex creative work. LLMs are

being refined and new versions rolled out regularly, with technological improvements

coming thick and fast. While this offers great opportunities to legitimate businesses

and members of the public it also can be a risk for them and for the respect of

fundamental rights as criminals and bad actors may wish to exploit LLMs for their own

nefarious purposes.

In response to the growing public attention given to ChatGPT, the Europol Innovation

Lab organised a number of workshops with subject matter experts from across the

organisation to explore how criminals can abuse LLMs such as ChatGPT, as well as how

it may assist investigators in their daily work. The experts who participated in the

workshops represented the full spectrum of Europol’s expertise, including operational

analysis, serious and organised crime, cybercrime, counterterrorism, as well as

information technology.