In March 2020, the Computing Community Consortium (CCC) partnered with the Code 8.7 Initiative to bring together over fifty experts from the computing research community, along with anti-slavery practitioners and survivors. The mission was clear: to chart a research roadmap that explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged in the fight against human trafficking.
Building on the momentum from the 2019 Code 8.7 conference at the United Nations, this workshop aimed to align the bold objectives of the 20-Year Community Roadmap for AI Research in the U.S. with the crucial goal of eliminating modern slavery, as outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7.
Here are five critical ways AI can contribute to this global fight.
Uncovering Hidden Networks
AI-powered network analysis can expose the secretive web of human trafficking. By understanding how and where trafficking occurs, AI can help spot signs early and suggest interventions that stop the cycle in its tracks.
AI Allies for Survivors
Vulnerable individuals often face heightened pressures, where their choices can determine whether they fall into exploitation or find freedom. Imagine smart, interactive AI agents that serve as digital allies, guiding these individuals toward safety in real-time. Such technology would offer real-time help and gather crucial insights useful for experts to disrupt trafficking before it escalates.
Connecting the Dots with Data
AI can break down data silos, making it easier to share and analyze information across the anti-trafficking community. This means better-targeted resources, improved law enforcement, and more effective support for survivors.
Building Ethical AI for a Safer Future
Technologies that increase surveillance of populations can also undermine basic human rights. AI in this space must prioritize ethics and privacy. By integrating ethical considerations from the start, AI can protect survivors’ privacy and ensure that the solutions we develop are both powerful and respectful.
Building Ally Networks, Breaking Criminal Chains
Advanced AI systems could develop and recommend a coordinated strategy for law enforcement and social services to intervene in trafficking activities. Instead of merely displacing the problem, the AI’s deep understanding of traffickers’ networks enables a highly effective disruption, ensuring lasting impact.
AI isn’t a magic bullet, but when combined with human expertise and survivor insights, it can be a powerful tool in the fight against human trafficking. As researchers continue to refine these technologies, the collaboration between tech experts, law enforcement, and those on the front lines will be crucial in creating a future free from exploitation. AI can be leveraged to protect the most vulnerable and move closer to the goal of ending modern slavery.
Read the report here.
