Artificial intelligence (AI), increasingly adopted in governance, policing and office administration, is emerging as a serious challenge to cyber safety, with its misuse during the Nuapada Assembly bypoll in Odisha raising fresh concerns about digital integrity and electoral ethics.
During the campaign period, political parties including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress lodged complaints with the Election Commission of India, alleging circulation of AI-generated videos and images aimed at misleading voters. The parties demanded strict curbs on such content, which spread rapidly across social media platforms.
Deepfakes blur line between truth and fabrication
Unlike traditional misinformation, AI-generated content can convincingly imitate voices, facial expressions and gestures, making it extremely difficult for the public to distinguish authentic material from fabricated visuals. Cyber safety expert Binayak Sahoo warned that automated hacking tools, deepfake technology and AI-driven phishing campaigns are making cyberattacks more sophisticated and harder to detect.
Experts noted that cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging AI to scale up attacks, while law enforcement agencies struggle to keep pace. Investigations are complicated by digital evidence scattered across international servers, requiring advanced technical expertise and cross-border cooperation.
Police face rising pressure amid skill gaps
Law enforcement officials admitted that limited manpower, lack of specialised skills and outdated technology pose challenges in tackling AI-driven crimes. Another expert pointed out that without continuous upskilling and access to modern tools, police forces risk falling behind rapidly evolving cyber threats.
Responding to these concerns, Odisha Police said it has begun recruiting IT specialists in cyber police stations to assist investigators handling complex digital cases.
Surge in cybercrime cases alarms officials
Director General of Police Y B Khurania acknowledged that AI poses a growing threat to cyberspace and said personnel are being trained with advanced technical know-how to investigate such offences effectively.
The urgency is underscored by data showing a dramatic rise in cybercrime cases in Odisha — a 1,917 per cent increase over the past decade, from just 124 cases in 2014 to 2,501 cases in 2024.
Officials and experts alike stressed that addressing AI-enabled cybercrime will require close collaboration between police, technology companies and cybersecurity professionals, along with stronger public awareness to safeguard democratic processes and digital trust.