Artificial Intelligence, Maritime Routes, and the Global South

Rethinking Human Trafficking Governance

Resumo

This presentation explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the governance of human trafficking, with a focus on maritime routes and the Global South. Trafficking networks increasingly exploit unregulated maritime corridors—such as those in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Guinea, and Caribbean—where institutional fragility and fragmented interagency coordination create fertile ground for exploitation. Simultaneously, AI-based surveillance tools are being deployed without adequate regulatory oversight, raising concerns about ethical use, transparency, and the protection of victims' rights. Drawing on research and policy work developed by the InterAgency Institute—a digital think tank led by Global South scholars—this proposal investigates the dual-use nature of AI in anti-trafficking operations. It critically examines how predictive analytics, automated profiling, and maritime monitoring systems can both support and undermine human rights, especially in border control and interdiction contexts. The presentation will highlight regulatory gaps in AI governance and maritime law, propose safeguards to ensure victim-centered approaches, and advocate for inclusive frameworks that bridge local knowledge, technological innovation, and global cooperation. Centering Global South perspectives, this research contributes to more just and accountable responses to trafficking in the digital age.