AI achieved what the police could not. Works worth 200 million euros recovered

During an antiques fair in Parma, Italian police used AI to identify a stolen painting, leading to its recovery. The AI system, developed to detect stolen artworks, has successfully retrieved over 300 pieces since its launch in November 2023. The technology analyzes visual characteristics of artworks, even those altered post-theft. A notable case involved a 17th-century painting of Saint Agnes, stolen in 2004, which was misidentified as a different artwork due to modifications. While AI aids in recovery, experts caution it cannot replace experienced investigators or identify thieves. Other countries are also employing AI for art crime prevention.