The InvestigAid convention, held on 25-26 November 2024 in Paris, introduced collectively investigative items, consultants and companions lively within the area of exterior support from throughout the EU and past to discover the transformative function of synthetic intelligence (AI) in monetary investigations. The annual occasion was co-hosted by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Belgian Federal Improvement Company (Enabel) and the Luxembourg Improvement Company (LuxDev), with help and main function from the European Anti-Fraud Workplace (OLAF).
This yr’s convention targeted on the quickly evolving subject of “Artificial Intelligence and Financial Investigations”. With developments in AI providing new alternatives – and challenges – in combating fraud, the occasion facilitated discussions on how investigative businesses can successfully leverage expertise whereas navigating moral and operational complexities.
Constructing on the success of the inaugural convention hosted by OLAF in Brussels in 2021, InvestigAid has turn out to be a key platform for information sharing and worldwide collaboration in monetary investigations.
Along with audio system of excellence from EU Member State exterior support businesses, every year, the convention options particular friends. This yr noticed distinguished visitor audio system from america, together with the Inspector Basic of the U.S. Worldwide Improvement Finance Company (DFC) and a cyber-investigator in addition to a particular agent from the Protection Prison Investigative Service, US Division of Protection. They offered insights into U.S. practices in fraud detection and totally different investigative strategies.
Contributors deepened their understanding of cutting-edge instruments all through workshops, displays and case research, whereas forming connections that can bolster worldwide investigative capacities.
OLAF, as a key actor in defending the monetary pursuits of the EU, has been a driver of the InvestigAid convention since its inception in 2021. This yr’s convention reaffirmed OLAF’s dedication to fostering worldwide cooperation, capability constructing and the usage of modern applied sciences to boost monetary investigations.