The Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group meeting will run from 16 to 18 June. It will also be attended by the FBI, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing, and the New Zealand Police.

Barrett said she has been in talks with technology companies regarding the challenge and opportunities for partnership.

“AI brings many opportunities; however, the AFP is also deeply concerned that AI is accelerating and lowering the skills required to actively target victims online,’’ Commissioner Barrett (pictured) said in a 14 June statement.

“As technology advances exponentially, vulnerable people, including youth, will face the greatest harm.

“Youth who would not normally come on the radar of counter terrorism police are now under investigation or face being charged with serious offences, including sharing or creating violent extremist material, which is desensitising generations to abhorrent violence.”

Commissioner Barrett noted what she called the “worrying trend” of victims of online bullying being forced to harm themselves or others and record themselves on video to cease being targeted.

“Then there are the kids who are manipulated by influencers or are radicalised by hate preachers or are self-radicalising online,” Commissioner Barrett said.

“Fearing they will be judged for being curious or asking questions about polarising issues, they go looking for answers online, often spiralling into hate, misogynistic or anti-authoritarian echo chambers.

“Current detection, reporting and investigative approaches cannot keep pace with the scale and speed of harm that is coming our way.”

According to Commissioner Barrett, tech companies could play the role of “digital penicillin” to combat such activity. In a separate opinion piece published on the same day, Commissioner Barrett also called out the sharing of extremist material online and cyber crime driven by “online decentralised crime groups”.

“The AFP launched Taskforce Pompilid in October 2025 to target sadistic online exploitation and other offences committed by these online groups, such as cyber crime and violence,” Commissioner Barrett said.

Cook said that industry collaboration can be a “critical enabler” when combating modern online threats.

“Criminals are prepared to commit increasingly violent and more reckless crimes to build their reputation and promote their services,” Cook said.

“The ACIC is focused on delivering intelligence‑led outcomes that allow us to stay ahead of evolving threats, working closely with our partners to target criminals wherever they operate.”