Generative AI, An Opportunity to Fight Trafficking
The recent blog post from Epik Project’s founder Tom Perez, highlighted how Epik Project's mission is centered on disrupting the demand that drives the sex trafficking industry. I first met Tom Perez in 2015 and soon after, I attended an Epik Project training meeting. In the training, Epik demonstrated how prolific the demand for commercial sex was by posting a decoy ad on Backpage.
The decoy ad was offering buyers the opportunity to purchase sex. I was stunned when very quickly, audible phone alerts started pouring in. This experience gave those of us in the training a feel for how many responses arrived (several within seconds; and dozens within minutes). We saw how just a single ad can reveal the sheer magnitude of the attempted sex-buying activity that goes on 24x7 across the U.S. and around the world. What I learned in that training is all it takes is a mobile phone - which for buyers is “the brothel of the 21st century” to have access to commercial sex. After that, my conversation with Tom moved immediately into how mobile technology was accelerating sex buying.
“Epik Project is the only organization in this space to combine technology with empathetic human connection.”
Years later, while we are still having the same conversations, they have evolved. Epik Project has expanded beyond simply leveraging technology to connect with buyers, we are also engaging with buyers and non-buyers alike in new ways that include conversations about masculinity. Tom recently told me of a high compliment he received from a victim advocate: “Epik Project is the only organization in this space to combine technology with empathetic human connection.” This is the essence of Epik’s value equation. If we are going to change the culture of exploitation, we must adapt along with the technology that men use while also reaching them at a core level. Epik is doing this through their promotion of Generative Masculinity.
How much will the “Generative Masculinity” movement really matter? Tom’s comments in last month’s post highlighted how Epik is staying true to its “empathetic human connection” value and that changed masculinity is a key factor for success.
This month, let’s build on Tom’s post and examine the technology aspect of the value equation. If mobile phones changed trafficking patterns, what’s the next transformative technology wave? Most would agree it’s “Generative AI” - now in the headlines every day. Let’s explore three questions:
What is generative AI?
How will generative AI influence the sex and human trafficking industry?
How can we respond?
Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that involves using machine learning algorithms to generate new content. This technology converts text prompts into newly generated images, videos, and yes - even more text. Generative AI-powered applications are creating hyper-realistic video experiences, writing software code, authoring music and creating art. Generative AI relies on other technologies such as machine learning to analyze large language models and predict how to best respond to user input. Two of the most widely used generative AI applications today are ChatGPT by OpenAI and Google Bard.
How disruptive is this change? Consider that ChatGPT has passed the US Med licensing exam, law school exams, and Wharton’s MBA exam. OpenAI set a new landmark in history by achieving 100 million ChatGPT users in just two months. To put that into perspective - here’s how long other technologies needed to achieve 100 million users.
Generative AI will present another wave of complexity to the challenge of demand reduction. A Tech Watch Flash report from Europol (ChatGPT: The Impact of Large Language Models on Law Enforcement - March 27, 2023) outlined potential crime use cases. Europol showed how quickly criminals exploit new technologies by noting that ChatGPT-based criminal exploitations showed up mere weeks after the initial public release by OpenAI.
What might misuse of generative AI tools look like?
Criminals will learn crime more quickly. Generative AI tools require no deep technical knowledge and can be used to learn about a vast number of potential crime areas, including trafficking techniques.
Chatbots can be easily customized to leverage large language models and generative AI interfaces. This opens the door to large-scale grooming of minors within their online social and gaming networks, boosting the pipeline of potential trafficking victims.
Disinformation and specifically targeted narratives will flourish. These can be created and spread at scale with relatively little effort, increasing cyberbullying, harassment, and hate speech.
False identities or deep fakes of victims can be quickly and easily produced and used for sextortion or doxxing. This will potentially complicate law enforcement investigations and perpetuate exploitation.
Fast, low-cost production of imagery and videos will expand the capabilities of those who recruit and traffic victims into the hands of pimps and international criminal organizations.
“These organizations [Epik Project] and the technology they employ are at the forefront of what can be considered a never-ending battle of wits between them and criminals engaged in the online commercial sex ecosystem.”
While all of those possibilities may feel daunting, at Epik Project we see Generative AI as an opportunity for us and our partner organizations. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation published a report on March 1, 2023, titled An Overview of Technology-Based Demand Reduction Tactics. The report highlighted the tactics of Epik and three other organizations focused on reducing demand. They noted, “These organizations and the technology they employ are at the forefront of what can be considered a never-ending battle of wits between them and criminals engaged in the online commercial sex ecosystem.” Generative AI offers opportunities to advance this battle into the future.
Possible opportunities include:
Scaling existing operations faster. Organizations working in demand reduction manage a significant amount of back-end technical infrastructure with conventional human effort. Much of this (for example, posting and monitoring ads, responding to incoming messages, documenting outcomes, and interpreting data) can be automated using generative AI tools.
Existing chatbot solutions can be significantly improved by customizing large language models. This can help existing chatbots assume personas, adapt to ever-evolving street slang, and more carefully observe activity valuable to enforcement and justice efforts.
Realistic simulations of trafficking scenarios can be generated, allowing law enforcement and policymakers to better understand the challenges and develop more effective responses.
Epik supporters and partners can understand generative AI and adapt with us. Here are some recommendations.
Understand short-term and long-term consequences of generative AI. This latest wave of computing has higher long-term consequences than any previous wave. Researchers are seeking to differentiate between potentially dangerous AI and harmless AI. Some say the mastery of language by AI gives it the power to manipulate and control human society, shaping institutions and influencing opinions, potentially leading to the end of the human-dominated part of history. The Center for AI Safety released a terse statement on May 30, 2023: “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.” The statement was signed by over a thousand concerned researchers and tech industry leaders. Yet much of AI research will be harmless (Siri was one of the earliest, most wide-spread uses of AI for natural language processing). Further, AI research promises huge societal benefits. Researchers like Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin of the Center for Humane Technology are among the leading voices on the ethical implications of AI and other emerging technologies. In their talk on "The A.I. Dilemma," they emphasized the importance of ensuring that AI is designed and used in ways that prioritize human well-being and social good. Researchers are already pointing to multiple near-term breakthroughs - in cancer research and medical care, for example - as a result of AI.
Use generative AI tools in your daily life. Like previous generations of the technology, the antidote to fear is understanding. I’ve been using these tools since they were launched and find the experience fascinating (and sometimes, startling or downright disturbing). Generative AI tools offer users an easy-to-use English language interface and are being embedded into the day-to-day office and home applications you are already using.
Bring your ideas and connections to our team. Collectively, we have over 200 volunteers and employees scattered across the U.S. and we would be excited to meet and talk with you and any of your tech-savvy counterparts that can speak to this ongoing “battle of wits” to reduce demand and disrupt the systems that fuel and support sex and human trafficking.
Since retiring around one year ago, I have been reflecting on what 45 years of technology-focused career contributions means. And musing on what matters most as I rewire for my “third third.” Last summer I accepted an invitation to chair the Epik board, and it’s been a rewarding journey. I want to invite you, in turn, to connect with our board and the Epik team. Help us adapt to these changes and rewire for what’s next.
