Europol Predicts Robot Crime Waves by 2035

Robots and AI are no longer just tools—they could become the next frontier of crime. Europol’s latest report, The Unmanned Future(s), paints a vivid picture of 2035, where intelligent machines populate homes, hospitals, schools, and workplaces. The report explores potential threats like criminal exploitation of care robots, hacked drones, and rising civil unrest triggered by automation. While these scenarios are speculative, they raise pressing questions about safety, ethics, and law enforcement preparedness.

Care Robots Turned Criminal Tools

One of the report’s most alarming warnings involves care robots. Devices designed to help the elderly or disabled could be hijacked to spy on families, steal sensitive information, or even groom children. Europol’s foresight analysis suggests that without proper safeguards, everyday AI could unintentionally empower criminals, making homes and hospitals vulnerable to digital and physical threats.

Drones as Weapons of the Future

Autonomous drones are another major concern. Hackers could weaponize delivery drones or autonomous vehicles, causing physical harm or leaking critical data. Europol emphasizes that law enforcement must anticipate these possibilities now, developing strategies to counter both cyber and physical misuse of robotic technologies.

Rising Tensions and “Bot-Bashing”

Beyond direct attacks, the report envisions societal tension stemming from widespread automation. Job losses and machine-driven inequality could fuel protests, “bot-bashing” riots, and populist backlash. A new debate may also emerge over whether damaging a robot counts as abuse, a legal grey area that has already surfaced with incidents involving robotic dogs. Such conflicts could strain police-public relationships in years to come.

AI as a Tool for Criminals and Terrorists

Europol stresses that AI and robotics could amplify criminal and terrorist capabilities. From autonomous systems gathering intelligence to drones used in attacks, law enforcement agencies must prepare for threats that are both digital and physical. Early foresight, policy development, and technological safeguards will be critical to mitigating these risks.

Law Enforcement Prepares for an Unmanned Future

The 48-page report is less a prediction than a scenario-planning exercise. Europol’s Innovation Lab, based in The Hague, aims to help police forces across Europe develop strategies for a future where robots are omnipresent. Proactive collaboration with tech companies, ethical guidelines, and public education are highlighted as essential steps to prevent future robot-enabled crime waves.

The Ethical and Legal Challenges Ahead

As robots become more intelligent, society must navigate difficult ethical and legal questions. Should harming a robot ever be considered abuse? How do we protect vulnerable populations from AI exploitation? Europol’s analysis stresses that addressing these issues today can prevent escalation tomorrow. Policymakers and tech developers are urged to work together before AI-driven crime becomes a widespread reality.

Preparing for 2035

Europol’s warning underscores that the rise of AI is not just a technological revolution—it’s a societal challenge. Governments, law enforcement, and private sectors must innovate together to balance the benefits of robotics with potential criminal misuse. By anticipating threats and developing proactive strategies, society can harness AI safely while minimizing risks of the robot crime waves predicted for 2035.