AFP warns Australia of 'tsunami of youth crime' and radicalisation accelerated by AI

Oct 22, 2026

Australia faces a “tsunami” of youth crime as artificial intelligence accelerates the pace and scale of radicalisation, according to evidence heard by a parliamentary inquiry. AFP acting deputy commissioner Sandra Booth said radicalisation once took years or months but can now happen within days, driven by online networks and AI-enabled manipulation. She warned mental health, education and justice systems could be overwhelmed without serious intervention. The hearing also described threats against politicians, including an alleged 13-year-old case linked to online extremist material.

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AFP warns Australia of 'tsunami of youth crime' and radicalisation accelerated by AI

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Headlines Australia's largest datacentre operatorNextDC's shares dive as Melbourne expansion delayedTheAustraliaeditionGuardian # Opinion Usha Vance is a closedbook-but herGoodreads account issurprisingly revealingArwa Mahdawi→page 43PublishedinSydney,Australia ▲Australian federal olice ating deputy commisioner Sandra Both sys radicalisation can now happen witin days.Photograph:Oleg Elkov/Gettylmages/Stockphoto # AFP warns Australia of 'tsunamiof youth crime'andradicalisation accelerated by AI Tess Ikonomou Australia is facing a "tsunami"ofyouth crime as artificialintelligence accelerates the paceand scale of radicalisation,aparliamentary inquiry has heard. The Australianfederal policeacting deputy commissionerSandra Booth told the hearingonWednesday that,whileradicalisation had traditionallytaken years or months,thatprocess could now happen withindays. "Thiscan beattributedtoartificialintelligence,agrowinggrievance generation,youngpeople searching for purpose andbelonging,and the sophisticationof these online networks"she said. "The AFPis deeply concernedthat AIis accelerating andloweringthe skills required toactively manipulate and radicalisevictims online,and then causeserious harm." Booth warned that,withoutserious intervention,Australia'smentalhealth,education andjudicialsystems couldbeoverwhelmed bypeoplecommitting serious criminaloffences. This may have seriousconsequences for democracy andinstitutions. "Australiais atthe crossroadsofatsunami ofyouth crimeasyoung,vulnerable andimpressionable individuals are being radicalised and manipulated at rapid speed," Booth said. ·Signupfor Guardian Australia's Politics,really newsletter here The country had experienced anincreasein the numberof threatsbeing made against politicians. In one example ofradicalisation,aninvestigationfounda13-year-oldboy allegedlypossessed violent extremistmaterial. He was using the social mediaplatform Discord and,duringaraid at his home,police allege theyfounda notebook that containedplans for aschool shooting. "This was not in the US"Booth told the hearing.This wasin Australia." The Asio deputy directorgeneral forintelligence servicedelivery,Claire McGuinness,saidthe spy agency wasencounteringmorechildren,including 12-year- "Thisis instarkcontrast towhere we were,say,20years ago,where we would have seenacaseloadpredominantly ofindividuals within theirearly 20s,so quite a significant shift over theperiod,"she said. The inquiry heard since 2020,65children,including as young as 12,had been subject tofederalpolice operations. Thirty-five of those had been charged with state or commonwealth terrorism-relatedoffences. The intelligence and securitycommittee chair,Senator RaffCiccone,said the parliament wastrying tounderstand why peoplewere being radicalisedinamatterof days and weeks. "I wan toextendan invitationto people who have beenpersonallyaffectedbyradicalisation,"he said. "We recognise that theseexperiences can be deeplydifficult and that coming forwardmay not be easy. The home affairsdepartmentcounter-terrorism coordinator,Brendan Dowling,said the nation The Guardian 22October2026 Headlines →Continued from page1 intelligence and security will be cometothe attentionof law extremisminAustralia butthe more challenging thanever enforcement. nature of that threat is changing" before:? handed downin March next year. was"probably identifying people A final report from the "We'velong facedanenduring he said. too late"after they had already threat from terrorismandviolent "It isboth more urgent and parliamentaryjoint committeeon ## Australia's largest datacentre operator NextDC'sshares dive as Melbourne expansion delayed net revenue guidance tobetween required about...the ongoing Josh TaylorTechnology reporter today to225MW,processing power Wednesday that he expects thewhich NextDC has already sold toearliest approval for thecustomers.ex

FAQs

What did the AFP warn about youth crime and radicalisation?

The AFP warned Australia faces a “tsunami” of youth crime as AI accelerates the pace and scale of radicalisation.

How fast can radicalisation happen according to Sandra Booth?

Booth said what previously took years or months can now occur within days.

What risks did the AFP highlight for Australian systems?

Booth warned that, without serious intervention, Australia’s mental health, education and judicial systems could be overwhelmed by people committing serious criminal offences.

Oct 22, 2026

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