Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the most significant technological developments of the modern era due to its ability to analyze data, learn, make decisions, and perform tasks that simulate certain human capabilities. Its influence has extended to various fields, including the legal and criminal justice systems. Although AI offers considerable benefits in combating crime, analyzing evidence, and predicting criminal patterns, it has also created new forms of crime and raised legal issues concerning the determination of criminal liability and the proof of criminal offenses. First: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Evolution of Crime Artificial intelligence technologies can be used to commit various crimes, including cyber fraud, identity theft, system hacking, the production of fabricated content, deepfakes, and the development of sophisticated cyberattack methods. The danger of these crimes lies in their speed of execution, wide-ranging impact, and the difficulty of identifying the perpetrators in certain cases. Furthermore, AI's ability to generate highly realistic images, voices, and videos may mislead victims or damage their reputations, creating new challenges for traditional criminal law principles. Second: The Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Liability One of the most important issues raised by artificial intelligence is determining who bears criminal liability for harmful acts resulting from the use of an intelligent system. Under traditional criminal law principles, criminal liability generally applies to a person who possesses the necessary intention and awareness to commit an offense. Accordingly, artificial intelligence cannot currently be treated as an independent legal person bearing criminal liability in its own right. Instead, liability must be examined in relation to the individuals involved in developing, operating, or using the system, depending on the circumstances of each case and whether criminal intent or negligence can be established. This highlights the need for legislation to develop clearer rules for determining the liability of users, developers, and operators, particularly when the outcomes produced by an intelligent system are difficult to predict. Third: Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Criminal Evidence Artificial intelligence can play a positive role in criminal investigations by analyzing large volumes of data, identifying patterns, examining images and recordings, and assisting in the detection of cybercrime. However, relying on evidence generated or analyzed by AI systems raises an important question regarding its admissibility and evidentiary value before the courts. Judges must verify the source of the evidence, ensure that it was obtained lawfully, and establish that it has not been manipulated, particularly given the possibility of creating fabricated content that is difficult to distinguish from authentic material. Therefore, digital evidence generated or analyzed using AI should be subject to rigorous standards concerning legality, evidentiary integrity, and the ability to verify its source and method of production. Fourth: Challenges Facing Criminal Law The rapid development of artificial intelligence presents a significant challenge for legislators because many traditional criminal laws were enacted before these technologies emerged. This may create a gap between technological advancements and existing legal provisions. The most prominent challenges include difficulties in identifying the perpetrator, establishing criminal intent, proving the causal relationship between human conduct and the outcome produced by an intelligent system, and addressing the cross-border nature of technology-related crimes. Consequently, there is a growing need to update criminal legislation and establish specialized legal provisions that address AI-related offenses while maintaining a balance between combating crime and protecting individual rights and freedoms. Conclusion Artificial intelligence represents a double-edged sword in the field of criminal law. On the one hand, it can serve as an effective tool for crime prevention, detection, and evidence analysis. On the other hand, it can be used to commit new forms of crime or develop more sophisticated methods of traditional offenses. Addressing these challenges does not require prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence. Rather, it requires establishing an appropriate legal framework, defining criminal liability arising from its use, developing rules of evidence to accommodate modern digital evidence, and strengthening international cooperation to combat cross-border cybercrime. Almustaqbal University – The First University in Iraq