India is set to strengthen its ability to identify suspicious activities by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and international police cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
AI agents and automated computer scripts can help analyse digital content available on the internet, social media platforms and the dark web. According to officials, India will participate in major international counterterrorism operations through Interpol’s global network.
These capabilities could help security agencies trace digital footprints, identify potential terrorist networks and improve information-sharing between law enforcement agencies across countries.
The use of AI-powered technology during ‘Operation Shams-II’, conducted under the framework of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has highlighted the growing role of digital tools in counterterrorism investigations. Available information indicates that programmed AI agents and advanced computer scripts were used during the operation to analyse more than 100,000 images available online. Examining such a large volume of digital material manually could take considerable time, whereas automated systems can help identify and filter potentially relevant content more quickly.
How Will AI Help Identify Terror Threats?
AI agents can process large volumes of digital information, organise data and identify potential patterns. By analysing social media posts, online forums, photographs and information collected from other digital sources, these systems can help investigators identify indicators of suspicious activities. AI-generated computer scripts can also assist in filtering information according to predefined criteria and highlighting digital content that may be relevant to an investigation.
The volume of digital evidence involved in terrorism-related investigations continues to grow. Automated analytical tools can help security agencies manage this challenge by identifying possible connections between suspicious online activities, comparing information obtained from different sources and prioritising cases that require closer examination.
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Can AI Findings Establish Terror Links?
However, indications generated by AI do not, by themselves, establish an individual’s involvement in terrorist activities. Such findings must be verified through independent investigations, reliable digital evidence and other relevant information. Human oversight will remain essential, particularly to address potential challenges involving mistaken identification, inaccurate analysis and content interpreted without sufficient context.
How Will AI Speed Up Investigations?
The use of AI in counterterrorism operations could make investigations more systematic and reduce the time required to analyse digital evidence. Security agencies often face the challenge of identifying suspicious activities within enormous volumes of online information. AI-based systems can assist investigators by highlighting potentially significant material, allowing them to concentrate on information that warrants further examination.
Analysis of content available on the dark web could also prove useful in investigating suspicious activities conducted through online channels, provided the information is obtained through lawful and authorised methods. Such capabilities may help investigators identify potential links between individuals, online activities and networks operating across geographical boundaries.
Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these technologies will depend on the quality of the available data, the accuracy of the analytical systems and the capabilities of the agencies using them. Appropriate verification procedures and coordination between investigators will be necessary to ensure that the information generated by AI contributes meaningfully to investigations.
How Will Interpol Cooperation Help India?
Cooperation through Interpol is particularly important for India because terrorist networks may operate across several countries and use digital platforms to coordinate their activities. In such cases, the investigating agency of a single country may not have access to all the relevant information. Comparing intelligence and investigative inputs from different countries can help establish potential links between individuals, activities and networks.
India is a member of Interpol and can exchange information with law enforcement agencies in other member countries through the organisation’s global police cooperation framework. Combining AI-powered analysis with international cooperation could help Indian agencies investigate suspected cross-border networks and verify information relating to individuals under scrutiny.
What Will Determine AI’s Effectiveness?
The ability to analyse large volumes of digital material and share relevant information across national boundaries may provide investigators with additional tools to identify suspicious activities and examine potential connections between networks operating in different jurisdictions.
However, the practical impact of these technologies will depend on how they are deployed, the evidence available to investigators and the effectiveness of coordination among the agencies involved. AI is expected to serve as an investigative aid rather than a substitute for conventional police work, independent verification and evidence-based decision-making.
The420 Insight: AI Can Support, Not Replace, Investigations
The analysis of more than 100,000 images during Operation Shams-II illustrates how automated tools can help investigators process large volumes of digital information. For India, combining such capabilities with Interpol’s international cooperation network could support investigations into suspected cross-border terrorist activities. However, AI-generated findings must be independently verified before conclusions are drawn about individuals or networks.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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