North Dakota attorney general says AI a priority for next wave of criminal justice professionals

MOORHEAD, Minn. — (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said law enforcement and prosecutors need to be prepared to combat crimes committed using artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence “is not emerging, it’s here,” Wrigley said Wednesday while speaking at Concordia College in Moorhead, which is developing a criminal justice program in partnership with Minnesota State Community and Technical College Moorhead.

Wrigley referenced a case his office is investigating involving students at Fargo Davies High School using AI to create images used to sexually harass other students.

Wrigley on Tuesday said the investigation began at a West Fargo middle school earlier this year with a report of a student’s face on a nude photo. The image was being shared by a high school student on Snapchat.

Investigators identified more victims of sexually exploitative material, and on Sept. 22, law enforcement executed search warrants on 24 phones of students with another 30 phones targeted this week. “The investigation is growing,” Wrigley said at the press conference.

In other instances, Wrigley said Wednesday, AI is being used to create false documents to extort people.

As Concordia launches a criminal justice undergraduate program, Wrigley told students in the audience to be prepared to fight criminals and societal problems than can come with AI.

“It’s at your fingertips. You’ve grown up with it,” Wrigley said of technology and AI. “It can be used for good and bad.”

Combating AI crimes is “essential for making the next 30 years look better for the criminal justice system,” Wrigley said.

Wrigley said a criminal justice program at Concordia in Moorhead, a border city to Fargo, could help address the need for lawyers in North Dakota that are needed to keep the legal system running.

“There is nothing more important than personnel,” Wrigley said.

Reach North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com.