On 22 October 2024, Rome played host to a ground-breaking side event at the G7-Rome-Lyon Group Heads of Delegation Summit chaired by the Italian Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, where around 30 global leaders, security experts and criminal justice professionals came together to address the critical challenges posed by the nexus between technology, terrorism and transnational organized crime. Organized under the Italian G7-Roma-Lyon Group presidency in partnership with UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Branch, the event underscored the need for international collaboration to combat these existing, emerging, evolving and future threats.
Focusing primarily on the role of electronic evidence in combating terrorism and transnational crime, the event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive exercises, all aimed at advancing global strategies to confront the abuse of technology by criminal and terrorist organizations. Keynote speakers highlighted the increasing sophistication of these networks which demands an equally sophisticated, coordinated response and noted that events like this are crucial for fostering the necessary cooperation between nations.
The event focused on key areas of UNODC’s work in countering terrorism and transnational crime, particularly the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies. UNODC has long recognized the dual role technology plays, both as a tool for terrorist exploitation and as a critical resource for criminal justice responses, and the discussions during the side event reflected this complexity, with experts exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and their impact on criminal investigations, while also addressing the urgent need for legal and ethical frameworks to safeguard human rights in the digital age.
The panellists emphasized the transformative role of AI and other modern tools in criminal justice, offering powerful options for detection and investigation. However, they also pointed out that while harnessing these innovations, there is a need to ensure they are not misused or lead to unfair infringements on individual freedoms, with human rights and international standards safeguarded for all.
Thematic sessions covered a wide range of contemporary topics, including the intersection of AI and transnational crime, the evolving legal frameworks for electronic evidence, and the challenges presented by cryptocurrency in terrorist financing cases. Discussions also delved into the growing symbiotic relationship between terrorist organizations and organized crime groups, as well as how these networks exploit digital platforms for recruitment, financing and planning.
The event culminated in an interactive tabletop exercise, led by Mythos Labs, simulating a major AI-enabled terrorist attack. Participants were presented with the critical decisions that officials would need to make before, during, and after the incident, offering valuable insights into the strategic and practical challenges policymakers face in real-time crisis scenarios.
Both organizations, through their unique capacities, play complementary roles in tackling the challenges posed by the misuse of digital technologies and the resulting reliance on electronic evidence in modern criminal justice systems.
With the commitment of the Italian Presidency of the G7-Rome-Lyon Group and UNODC to drive forward a global security agenda that promotes democratic values and addresses the complex challenges of the modern era, the side event set the stage for continued dialogue and action. It was noted among participants that this event marks a significant milestone in global efforts to enhance criminal justice capabilities and international cooperation, emphasizing that as technology evolves, so too must our approaches to combating crime and terrorism, and together, these digital tools can be ensured to work for justice, not against it.
