How Does Artificial Intelligence (AI) Change the Supply Chain and Human Trafficking Landscape
Published February 16, 2024
By Charity Morsey
In the fight against modern slavery, Artificial Intelligence (AI) now has increasing importance with its potential to improve accuracy and efficiency in the detection, monitoring, and prevention efforts of mitigating human trafficking. Additionally, AI has the potential to improve supply chain transparency and traceability, which aids in preventing slave labor and human trafficking.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the fight against human trafficking in the supply chain by using advanced machine learning algorithms. AI can help identify high-risk locations, and individuals or patterns that are likely to be associated with trafficking. This novel type of data-driven tracking can help law enforcement and business organizations to better target their resources and prevent trafficking from occurring in the first place.
Additionally, AI could proactively be used as a tool to help rescue potential victims by analyzing data and identifying individuals who may be at risk of trafficking. With its ability to process vast amounts of information quickly and efficiently, AI can be a valuable tool in the ongoing fight against trafficking.
Canadian Case Study Using AI Technology
There is a growing need to identify undetected trafficking. Specifically, sex trafficking is a tough crime to track and to investigate. In a recent special investigative assignment report in Canada, conducted by Thomas Reutuers Special Services Research, high amounts of illicit profits in Canada were found in shell companies used by sex traffickers.
According to Reuters transnational criminals who reap billions of dollars in sordid profits appear to be operating at hundreds of illicit massage parlors in the country. (1) Reuters identified 700 types of businesses as part of their Canadian case study. The company used AI driven data and technology to help law enforcement and government agencies identify and take down criminals involved in human trafficking. These types of new groundbreaking methods are exposing criminal hot spots across Canada that have for too long been hidden from view.
A senior advisor on the case study emphasized that without the use of AI, law enforcement will continue to have limited information to investigate these types of hidden crimes. “There’s so much money that’s being made in the informal or shadow economy that we are just barely scratching the surface,” said Heather Fischer, senior adviser for human rights crimes at Reuters, who previously served as the White House special adviser for human trafficking. (2) It is estimated that illicit massage businesses in Canada and the United States together generate proceeds of roughly US$2.5-billion a year, stated Fischer.
In understanding the prolific amounts of hidden sex trafficking and profits that were identified in this particular investigation in Canada such evidence is an indicator that much goes on in the shadows that goes undetected. There are eventual risks for all kinds of business industries including: banking, technology, airlines, trucking, hospitality, and health care - all which need to have a role assisting in solving the problem of trafficking. The use of AI’s data driven information gathering expertise along with algorithms, provides law enforcement and businesses alike the necessary tools to mitigating trafficking.
How is AI Tracking Different
With high-resolution images, AI algorithms can analyze large areas of land to detect signs of forced labor and other forms of exploitation. This can include identifying patterns of movement that suggest workers are being forced to work long hours without breaks or detecting changes in the landscape that indicate the presence of temporary shelters or other structures used to house enslaved people.
One of the key advantages of using AI to examine satellite imagery is its ability to process large amounts of data quickly and accurately. As a result, AI algorithms can identify patterns that human analysts might miss by
analyzing thousands of images. This way, AI can help organizations identify areas where modern slavery is likely to occur and take action to prevent it.
Another advantage of using AI to examine satellite imagery is its ability to work in remote or inaccessible areas. Modern slavery often occurs in the regions that are difficult to access, such as remote forests or isolated mines. By using satellite imagery, organizations can identify areas where modern slavery is likely to occur and in real time. (3)
A real time example of this type of model is currently being harnessed by the Stanford University Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence which is using AI tools coupled with satellite imagery and data to track modern day slavery. Specifically, the Stanford AI Institute was able to track forced labor in the jungles of Brazil by combining labor data and satellite imagery via the expertise of AI to create an algorithm to spot forced labor trends. “There are cutting-edge algorithms that can be designed to search for new, previously unknown patterns that humans haven't noticed. One of our goals is to put these new search algorithms in place to help find other ways that trafficking can be disrupted.”(4) The Stanford Institute worked with the Brazilian Federal Labor Prosecution Office to develop a system to help process the data retrieved which in turn assisted investigators and rescuers to move quickly. This type of model creates transparency and solutions for the current issues surrounding forced labor.
As a disclaimer, the Institute acknowledges that it is worth noting that AI should be used to complement other detection methods rather than as a standalone solution. Human input and verification are still essential to ensure that the AI models are accurate, reliable, and consistent with ethical and human rights principles.
How to Use AI to Impact the Supply Chain Landscape
Artificial intelligence (AI) can potentially have a significant impact on the supply chain regarding the human trafficking landscape. AI technologies can be used to identify and track potential cases of trafficking within the supply chain, making it easier to detect and prevent human trafficking. Here are some ways AI can change the supply chain regarding human trafficking. (5)
1. Data analysis: AI can collect and analyze data within the supply chain to identify potential indicators of human trafficking, such as irregular supplier behavior or patterns of worker exploitation. By analyzing large sets of data, AI can help identify and flag potential cases of human trafficking that might have gone undetected through traditional methods.
2. Predictive analytics: By using machine learning techniques, AI can help predict where potential human trafficking might occur in the supply chain. Predictive analytics can help companies detect vulnerabilities in their supply chain and take action to prevent human trafficking before it occurs.
3. Monitoring social media: Social media can be a powerful tool for human traffickers to recruit victims. AI can monitor social media platforms to uncover human trafficking activities and identify individuals who may be at risk of being exploited.
4. Supply chain mapping: AI can be used to map out the entire supply chain, identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities in the process. By knowing where there are high-risk areas, companies can take proactive measures to prevent trafficking.
In conclusion, AI has the potential to play a crucial role in detecting and preventing human trafficking in the supply chain. It can analyze and monitor supply chain data to identify and flag potential risks and instances of trafficking. By being proactive in monitoring the supply chain and identifying these risks, steps can be taken to intervene and disrupt the operation of traffickers and stop slave labor. Ethical sourcing in the supply chain can further aid in preventing and reducing human trafficking. The overall ability to quickly and effectively analyze data can be a vital tool in combating human trafficking and promoting ethical supply chain practices.
Preparing Your Supply Chain for Artificial Intelligence (6)
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-human-trafficking-shell-companies-money-laundering
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-human-trafficking-shell-companies-money-laundering
https://hai.stanford.edu/news/detecting-modern-day-slavery-sky
https://hai.stanford.edu/news/detecting-modern-day-slavery-sky
https://sienaanalytics.com/blog/5-ways-ai-is-transforming-supply-chain-analytics
https://throughput.world/blog/ai-in-supply-chain-and-logistics
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Charity Morsey is a national security expert, professor, diplomat, author and founder of Generation for Freedom. She developed and wrote policy in the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and the California Governor’s Office where she demonstrated her competencies in counter terrorism and counter human trafficking. Morsey has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Pepperdine University.
Follow on Instagram: @generationforfreedom
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Pacific Council.
