Justice Department beefs up focus on artificial intelligence enforcement, warns of harsher sentences

By ERIC TUCKER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is stepping up its focus on artificial intelligence. Officials warn that companies and people who deliberately misuse AI technology to advance a white-collar crime like price fixing, fraud or market manipulation will be at risk for a harsher sentence. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told an American Bar Association conference in San Francisco on Thursday the Justice Department will take into account how well a company is managing the risks of AI technology each time it assesses a corporate compliance program. Such a program is a set of policies and procedures designed to detect misconduct and ensure executives and employees are following the law.