Veteran Criminal Prosecutor: How AI Is Changing Crime Forever - Benny Forer | #58

Nov 25, 2025

Benny Forer, a veteran criminal prosecutor at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, dives deep into how AI is reshaping crime and justice. He addresses the troubling implications of AI-generated child sexual abuse materials and the challenges of AI in evidence authenticity. Benny debates the morality of vigilante groups like Anonymous and explores whether laws should evolve from our moral compass. The conversation also touches on the risks of predictive policing and the balance between privacy rights and surveillance in a tech-driven world.

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INSIGHT

AI Undermines Trust In Evidence

Benny Forer warns AI will erode trust in institutions, individuals, and information as deepfakes become widespread.
He predicts we’ll loop back to distrusting everything until authentication methods evolve.

ADVICE

Use AI; Don’t Be A Luddite

Benny Forer urges embracing AI as a tool rather than rejecting it, since resisting will leave you behind.
Use AI for problem solving and predictive work but prepare safeguards for its abuses.

ANECDOTE

Secret Service Tip Led To Deepfake Work

Benny describes being tipped by the Secret Service about deepfakes and trying to draft California legislation that failed.
He’s now prosecuting a case with AI-generated child sexual material to test legal boundaries.

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Benny Forer is a veteran criminal prosecutor with experience prosecuting cases ranging from narcotics offences to gang m*rders to complex white collar crime. Currently, as a member of the prestigious Cyber Crime Unit, his job focuses on complex technologically based crimes and s*x crimes, including ch*ld p*rnography, solicitations of min*rs and other cyber-s*x crimes.This production was made possible by DFI Rentals - book gear for your next shoot here: https://www.dfirentals.com/Subscribe to my Substack to see bonus questions and send in your own for future guests! https://elliotbewick.substack.com/CHAPTERS:00:00 How does AI affect justice?04:58 Can surveillance footage be manipulated by AI?06:43 Should AI child s*xual ab*se material be illegal?15:57 Why should humans and robots be given different rights?18:01 What new crimes will AI bring about?20:44 What do you think of vigilante groups like Anonymous?26:14 Is law downstream from morality, or morality downstream from law?29:26 Should we have a Digital Death Penalty?37:48 Do people have a right to be anonymous online?51:17 Could AI be used to predict future criminals?55:06 How does facial recognition on devices change the game?01:01:29 Would constant surveillance lead to safety or dystopia?01:12:58 Debating the importance of privacy01:26:17 Are you concerned about government overreach?01:29:48 Wrapping upMy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotbewick/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliotbewickX: https://x.com/elliotbewickABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION: In a world saturated by social media and marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD among Gen Z, young people are growing up in a landscape of chaos and contradiction. While protests swell in city streets and activists hurl soup at famous artworks to demand climate action, a quieter crisis unfolds within - the mental and emotional battles faced by a generation trying to make sense of it all.The Next Generation is hosted by 20-year-old Elliot Bewick, offering a raw and honest look at the world through the eyes of those living in it. Bringing together insight from professionals and young people on the ground, this podcast isn’t here to complain or chase clout. It’s here to bend the arc of the modern world towards solutions, truth and a love for the beautiful adventure of life itself.