The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Identifying and Preventing Human Trafficking: Legal and Ethical Challenges

Abstract

Human trafficking represents one of the most serious global human rights violations in the contemporary world, affecting millions of individuals annually. The emergence of artificial intelligence technologies has introduced novel opportunities for identifying, preventing, and prosecuting human trafficking cases. However, the implementation of AIdriven anti-trafficking solutions simultaneously presents profound legal and ethical challenges. This paper provides a comprehensive legal analysis of the role of artificial intelligence in combating human trafficking, examining both the beneficial applications and the significant challenges related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, legal frameworks, and fundamental human rights. Through comparative analysis of existing regulatory frameworks including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU AI Act, and international legal instruments, this research demonstrates that while AI technology offers unprecedented investigative capabilities, its deployment must be carefully regulated to ensure compliance with international human rights law and data protection standards. The paper concludes that effective anti-trafficking strategies require a balanced approach that harnesses AI's investigative potential while maintaining robust legal safeguards and ethical governance mechanisms.