AI shows promise in improving understanding of modern slavery survivors' support needs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to improve understanding of support needs for survivors of modern slavery, latest research shows. The findings come from the pioneering Project RESTART (Reporting Experiences of Survivors to Analyse in Real Time), which recommended that AI should be more widely used by government and civil society to analyse the evolving support needs of survivors in real time.

However, researchers also warned about its shortcomings, including that it requires a high level of human involvement in training relevant AI models and interpreting the data, as well as it falling short at analysing culturally specific language. It recommended that subject matter experts – including those with lived experience of modern slavery – should be involved in the design and implementation of any AI software used for this purpose.

Project RESTART was funded by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (which in turn is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council) and brought together experts from Aberystwyth University, civil society organisations Causeway and FiftyEight, ethical AI development and research company Trilateral Research and people with lived experience of modern slavery.

The project used a custom AI software to analyse survivor’s experiences as expressed across tens and thousands of case notes held by Causeway, a national charity that supports survivors to recover from trauma and develop safe and fulfilling lives. The use of AI to tackle explore issues related to modern slavery highlight its potential to tackle complex social problems. “Way too often AI solutions fail to adequately consider their impact on individuals and societies” says Dr Julia Muraszkiewicz of Trilateral Research. “We need human-centred AI solutions, with a strong focus on transparency, accountability and fairness”.

Researchers found AI to be effective in uncovering insights into survivor’s legal, financial, social and mental health needs and challenges, consistent with the needs identified by conventional research method. AI enabled this identification to be conducted at scale and in real-time.

However, this was only made possible due to the involvement of project experts, including a five-person lived experience advisory panel, in training the AI models and validating the insights they produced. “The application of technology is most effective when supported by high-quality human engagement” said Professor Ryszard Piotrowicz of Aberystwyth University, who led the project. “The process of keeping humans in the loop ensures contextual understanding and sensitivity to the nuances of personal experiences and ethical considerations, which automated systems might overlook.”

FiftyEight, who develop research and technology solutions to address modern slavery, also created a custom app for the project which was used by over fifty survivors to record their needs and goals over four months in journals that were also analysed using AI software. The app provided a safe space for journaling which had potential therapeutic benefits for survivors, and could be used as an easily accessible tool to support their recovery in addition to conventional forms of support.

One app user said, “it’s not good to keep repeating your trauma. But when it’s just you and your phone, you can pause it. You can have a break. You can come to it whenever you feel like”.

Another app user found wider benefits to using the app, saying “I uploaded that I needed a job to progress my career. Once I set it, I set my mind to work towards it. And on the app, you can look at your progress, it can keep you on track. I got a job. Now I feel like, ‘wow’ I can do this. It’s life changing. I feel the app contributed to this.”

Talking about the innovative use of the project’s app, Quintin Lake of FiftyEight said “using technology in this way not only enhanced the quality of the research but also engaged survivors as active participants with agency and expertise, rather than passive recipients of support or subjects of study. It was so encouraging to see such immediate and positive impacts on their lives.”

Causeway’s involvement in the project created a pathway for the survivors they work with to participate in a safe and supportive way. Many participants were not familiar with research or had not taken part in such a project before.

“Survivors have a vast array of skills and expertise and want to make a real difference and help others”, said Amber Wickham, Research and Participation Facilitator at Causeway. “By providing tailored, accessible resources and trauma-informed support to survivors throughout the project we were able to help build their confidence and ability to participate in the research.”

The research calls for specialist training of AI software and its broader application in analysing modern slavery-related data held by different groups and institutions. It also recommends that all survivors of modern slavery entering support under the National Referral Mechanism should be provided digital technologies, access to the internet and training in digital skills and safety.

Jakub Sobik from the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre, which funded the study, said: “It’s good to see this evidence exploring innovative solutions that can improve insights into modern slavery, and to see the close engagement with people affected by modern slavery in the project.

“AI is clearly a technology with a lot of potential, but it’s also important to remember that it won’t be effective without meaningful human involvement, and especially of people with lived experience of the issue it tries to help address.”