FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau has begun deploying artificial intelligence tools to disrupt potential acts of violence, including planned school shootings, as part of a broader effort to modernize federal law enforcement.
“AI was never used at the FBI till we got there,” Patel said. “I’m using it everywhere.”
In an interview Monday on Sean Hannity’s podcast, Patel said the FBI has integrated AI into its investigative workflow to process the thousands of tips it receives each week. He described the shift as a significant departure from prior practices.
According to Patel, AI-assisted analysis helped agents intervene in multiple cases, including a potential school massacre in North Carolina and a separate planned attack in New York.
In both instances, tips were rapidly assessed using AI tools, allowing investigators to prioritize credible threats and act quickly.
The FBI has increasingly emphasized partnerships with private-sector technology firms, Patel added, noting that some intelligence originated from companies developing AI infrastructure.
The remarks come as the bureau works to reshape its public image following years of political scrutiny and declining trust.
During the Biden administration, the FBI faced criticism from Republican lawmakers and some segments of the public over its handling of politically sensitive investigations and allegations of bias.
Now under new leadership aligned with the Trump administration, the bureau is highlighting technological innovation and crime prevention successes as part of an effort to rebuild credibility.
The focus on AI-driven threat detection reflects a broader strategy to present the FBI as more proactive, efficient, and responsive to public safety concerns.
While Patel framed the use of AI as a breakthrough in preventing violence, the expansion of such tools is also likely to draw scrutiny from civil liberties advocates, who have raised concerns about surveillance, data privacy and the potential for algorithmic bias in law enforcement.
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