AI and Cybercrime in Post-Socialist Poland: Legal, Governance, and Social Justice Implications in the Digital Era

This talk examines the nexus of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybercrime within Poland's evolving legal framework, with a particular focus on how post-socialist governance structures are responding to AI-driven threats. The accelerated digitalization and the emergence of automated cybercrimes, such as phishing and ransomware, have outpaced Poland's legal system, which still bears the hallmarks of its pre-1989 centralized structure. Qualitative interviews with Polish legal professionals revealed significant deficiencies in legislation, difficulties in digital evidence collection, and a growing public distrust in legal institutions, which has been further exacerbated by the increasing sophistication of AI-powered attacks. The findings underscore the necessity for legal reforms that address the role of AI in cybercrime and the development of specialized training for legal professionals in digital forensics and AI technologies. Furthermore, the talk examines the impact of AI on governance and public sector administration, including its influence on the distribution of justice and the potential exclusion of digitally underprivileged populations. The challenges posed by AI to governance, law enforcement, and public trust give rise to significant questions regarding the accessibility and equity of justice in the Anthropocene era. This talk contributes to the broader discussion of digital justice by proposing interdisciplinary approaches to integrating AI into legal systems and public administration, with the aim of ensuring more resilient governance structures.