OLAF at InvestigAid 2024: Financial Investigations and Artificial Intelligence

The InvestigAid conference, held on 25-26 November 2024 in Paris, brought together investigative units, experts and partners active in the field of external aid from across the EU and beyond to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in financial investigations. The annual event was co-hosted by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Belgian Federal Development Agency (Enabel) and the Luxembourg Development Agency (LuxDev), with support and leading role from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).  

This year’s conference focused on the rapidly evolving topic of “Artificial Intelligence and Financial Investigations”. With advancements in AI offering new opportunities – and challenges – in combating fraud, the event facilitated discussions on how investigative agencies can effectively leverage technology while navigating ethical and operational complexities.

Building on the success of the inaugural conference hosted by OLAF in Brussels in 2021, InvestigAid has become a key platform for knowledge sharing and international collaboration in financial investigations. 

In addition to speakers of excellence from EU Member State external aid agencies, each year, the conference features special guests. This year saw distinguished guest speakers from the United States, including the Inspector General of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and a cyber-investigator as well as a special agent from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, US Department of Defense. They provided insights into U.S. practices in fraud detection and different investigative techniques. 

Participants deepened their understanding of cutting-edge tools throughout workshops, presentations and case studies, while forming connections that will bolster international investigative capacities. 

OLAF, as a key actor in protecting the financial interests of the EU, has been a driver of the InvestigAid conference since its inception in 2021. This year’s conference reaffirmed OLAF’s commitment to fostering international cooperation, capacity building and the use of innovative technologies to enhance financial investigations.