The paper aims to analyze the potentialities and limitations of applying artificial intelligence (AI) in preventing corporate environmental crimes. The first section introduces the concept of AI and its main features, followed by a critical review of current regulatory proposals, with a focus on the AI Act and its shortfalls in capturing the technological complexities of AI systems. Next, the study explores AI’s application in preventing and detecting corporate environmental crimes, with a particular focus on how companies utilize AI for self-regulation and compliance. It is found that AI systems, alongside traditional technologies, can be valuable tools in monitoring and detecting irregularities, aiming to promote more efficiency in preventing, identifying and prosecuting corporate environmental crimes. The investigation then addresses the challenges in adopting AI for these purposes. These include intrinsic limitations of AI, such as opacity, unpredictability, and biases, which complicate accountability. Moreover, concerns about assigning criminal liability for damages caused by AI interventions are highlighted. Legal limitations are also identified, particularly the lack of sufficient incentives in some jurisdictions for companies to implement effective AI-based compliance programs. Finally, the paper suggests that the integration of the AI Act with a robust sanctioning regime for corporate environmental crimes, and a review of product liability systems, is essential to overcoming these challenges and ensuring AI’s effective role in addressing corporate environmental offenses.