FBI using AI to zero in on threats faster, deputy director says

September 3, 2026 / 8:02 PM EDT / CBS News

The FBI is turning to artificial intelligence as a tool to identify threats and fight crime, targeting transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels, Deputy Director Christopher Raia told CBS News on Thursday, three weeks after the bureau released data showing a significant drop in violent crime rates around the country.

Raia, a 23-year veteran of the FBI who was appointed deputy director in January, says AI has helped identify credible threats and reduce the time from tip to action in the field from weeks down to hours, or even minutes.

"We've sprinkled in AI and now these tips rise to the top and we can get them out to the field to action," Raia said.

Violent crime rates in the U.S. have plummeted recently, with the nation's murder rate reaching a 20-year low in 2025 and violent crime overall showing the biggest one-year drop on record, according to data released in August from the FBI's annual crime report. Aggravated assaults fell by 7.2%, rapes declined by 7.6% and robbery dropped 18.5%, according to the FBI's report.

Raia credits a "combination of things" behind the downturn. He praised state and local…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/