Technology and Artificial Intelligence in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Atina at the International Conference on Technological Responses to Human Trafficking

On June 11, 2025, the Council of Europe organized an international conference in Malta titled "Empowering Change: Technology and Artificial Intelligence in the Fight Against Human Trafficking." The event brought together representatives from institutions, civil society, academia, and security experts to discuss how modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) can be responsibly used in the prevention and suppression of human trafficking, while fully respecting human rights and dignity.

Atina was represented at the conference by Jelena Hrnjak, Program Manager. At the same time, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Serbia participated through Nenad Simić, the national coordinator for combating human trafficking. Their presence further emphasized the importance of cross-sector cooperation and survivor-centered approaches in the context of emerging digital challenges.

Technology and Human Rights: Balancing Innovation and Ethics

The conference was opened by Marja Ruotanen, Director General for Democracy and Human Dignity at the Council of Europe, who highlighted the importance of aligning all technological responses with human rights standards.

During panels and sessions, speakers discussed the potential of AI in identifying human trafficking networks, analyzing trends, improving support for survivors, securing digital evidence for criminal proceedings, and the importance of connecting different sectors, including governments, technology and financial companies, as well as civil society organizations.

Special attention was given to potential risks, such as privacy violations, algorithmic bias, discrimination, and barriers to accessing justice, especially for women and girls affected by various forms of exploitation.

Centering Survivors’ Experiences in Digital Solutions

For Atina, participation in this conference was an important opportunity to actively engage in the global dialogue on the ethical use of technology in the fight against human trafficking. The organization emphasized the importance of trauma-informed and survivor-centered approaches in digital interventions, as well as the value of inclusive partnerships that recognize the role of civil society organizations in this context.

Additionally, the need for protective mechanisms to prevent further victimization or exclusion of already vulnerable groups was strongly highlighted.

In light of Atina’s long-standing work with women and girls who have survived human trafficking, the organization reiterated that human dignity must remain at the very core of any technological advancement.

Practical Outcomes and Future Steps

The conference also featured thematic workshops addressing the ethical use of AI in human trafficking cases, challenges in securing and sharing digital evidence, and building sustainable cooperation among various stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations.

In her closing remarks, Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), stressed that the fight against human trafficking must continue with vigilance, innovation, and strong civil society involvement, which plays a crucial role in shaping ethical and sustainable responses to modern forms of exploitation.