Is AI a tool in the fight against bribery, or adding fuel to the fire?

AI is often heralded as a miracle tool in the fight against bribery. But while it can provide businesses and authorities a potent means of detecting bribes or other fraudulent activity, it can also serve as a powerful weapon for criminals.

The paradoxical role of artificial intelligence in anti-bribery efforts is becoming increasingly evident. Its capabilities extend from enhancing detection mechanisms to inadvertently creating novel pathways for bribery. It could even transform the nature of bribery itself. So how can businesses navigate this landscape, and what role can standards play?

Bribery in 2025: a trillion-dollar problem

According to PwC, 24% of organizations around the world have reported being victims of bribery and corruption. And many of them are paying out. PwC estimates that the total value of bribes paid globally could now exceed US$1 trillion a year.

The UK is not immune to all manner of corruption. Between 2017 and 2025, the UK’s Corruption Perceptions Index score has fallen from 82 to 71. The most significant drop anywhere in Western Europe. While much of the fall can be attributed to factors such as COVID-19 contract fraud, bribery was also responsible.

Worryingly, 46% of UK SMEs think that taking a stronger stand against bribery could cost them trade opportunities. Fear of losing contracts, combined with limited transparency across supply chains, can leave space for bribery and corruption to thrive.

Kickbacks and the law

For many organizations, supply chains pose a significant bribery and corruption risk. This is particularly true as more businesses use global supply chains to remain competitive. ‘Kickback schemes’, where procurement contracts are awarded to a vendor in return for a bribe, is another of the most common forms of bribery.

In the UK, under the Bribery Act 2010, companies can be held criminally liable for failing to prevent bribery, even if they don’t know it’s happening. And these rules are tightening so that it's essential for businesses to understand and mitigate the risk of bribery and corruption.

The Failure to Prevent Fraud offence comes into effective as of September this year, making it easier to prosecute businesses. Under the new offense, many organizations will be expected to demonstrate that they have reasonable procedures to prevent fraud. You can check if your business is in scope here.

How the nature of bribery and corruption is changing in the age of AI

AI is a double-edged sword when it comes to bribery and corruption. While AI tools are increasingly used to detect illegal activity, they are also “turbocharging organized crime” according to the EU. In many ways, they’re also completely changing the nature of bribery itself.

As companies increasingly develop their own large language models (LLMs), a new frontier for bribery and corruption is opening. There is a fear that bad actors will be looking to bribe AI specialists to compromise the technology itself. This includes ‘poison data’ or manipulating models to alter system outputs for personal gain.

A similar concern is ‘corrupt AI’ or ‘bribes for bias’ which are AI systems that are purposefully created with biased data to influence decision-making. Another problem is ‘Model theft’ whereby a company’s proprietary large language model (LLM) is breached and allows access to sensitive data. In these scenarios, the risk of bribery is clear. A single compromised employee could turn a useful AI tool into a dangerous liability.

AI cover-ups for crime

AI tools can also be used by corrupt officials or employees to cover up bribery. Numerous investigations have already revealed bad actors tampering with IT systems to cover up bribery and corruption. AI has the potential to accelerate this behaviour.

There are also fears AI provides a level of deniability and dissonance that is likely to increase bribery and corruption. And, as AI increasingly replaces job roles, who will be left to blow the whistle?

What can organizations do to reduce the risk?

Thankfully, if deployed effectively, AI tools can prevent and identify risks. For example, through automated anomaly detection that flags deviations from normal behaviour. This could be unexpected payments, duplicate invoices, or round number transactions that could indicate potential bribery. These systems continually learn from new data, improving their ability to flag high-risk activity in real time.

AI can also process large volumes of data from public records, news sources, and regulatory databases. This makes it easier to assess the risk profiles of vendors, contractors, and partners, and to identify any red flags.

AI applications can also analyze language patterns in messages and documents that are associated with bribery and corruption. This can help compliance teams proactively identify inappropriate discussions or concealed intent.

Predictive analytics can even combine historical data with contextual information. This can help predict where and when bribes are most likely to occur. For example, in a particular supply chain or territory, or during a certain type of transaction.

The role of standards

Alongside AI tools that identify possible bribery, standards can be another option.

BS ISO 37001:2025 Anti-bribery management systems. Requirements with guidance for use is one such standard.

This international standard provides guidelines and requirements for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and improve an anti-bribery management system.

It can help combat bribery by embedding a culture of integrity and ethical behaviour within an organization’s operations, ensuring transparency, and implementing effective controls to detect and prevent bribery incidents.

By implementing BS ISO 37001:2025, your organization can strengthen its defense against bribery, maintain compliance with international regulations, and reinforce their commitment to ethical business conduct.

AI is muddying the waters when it comes to bribery and corruption. And, with the UK government toughening penalties, it’s more important now than ever for businesses of all sizes understand and mitigate the risks. Standards can be a great way to get started.

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