This session describes how artificial intelligence is being used to support human trafficking research and program operations and best practices for using AI to support both researchers and practitioners. AI is being used to find both general information and to assist in locating and summarizing published studies in a person’s area of interest. The session also reviews how AI is being used in prevention and interdiction efforts by analyzing internet content for potential online solicitations and flagging concerning conversations. AI tools can also be used by anti-trafficking researchers and organizations to create enhanced surveys and create high-quality content for promoting an organization. AI enhances anti-trafficking efforts by efficiently reviewing research and identifying critical resources, yet it has notable shortcomings. It performs poorly when tasked with drafting new research papers and often exhibits significant limitations, including geographic and language biases that hinder comprehensive, global analysis. This presentation explores generative and agentic AI, highlighting top tools like Claude for document review, Consensus for published research, and the new European platform Apertus as an emerging open-source option. AI practices for anti-trafficking research includes examples of citing the use of AI in academic research and prompt engineering to improve and better target responses from AI tools, while cautioning researchers about inherent risks like bias and hallucinations and showing ways to help identify them.
David Corliss is the founder and Director of Peace-Work, an all-volunteer cooperative of statisticians and data scientists applying statistical methods to advocacy in poverty, education, justice, and providing analytic support for other groups. Human trafficking research is a major initiative at Peace-Work, with studies on risk factors, econometrics, and legislation.