Microsoft Research: Leveraging AI and Data Science for Human Rights

Human Rights Technology: Leveraging AI and Data Science for Social Impact

This document outlines Microsoft Research's initiative in Human Rights Technology, focusing on how artificial intelligence, data science, and human-computer interaction (HCI) are being used to combat human rights violations such as human trafficking and corruption.

Core Mission and Approach

Microsoft Research's Human Rights Technology project aims to develop and deploy technology solutions that fundamentally transform real-world practices in the fight against human rights violations. The approach is rooted in use-inspired basic research, collaborating with domain experts and frontline organizations to create human-centered data technologies. The goal is to provide tools that are ready for immediate use in specific human rights contexts and adaptable for future challenges.

Problem Areas: Human Trafficking and Corruption

The initiative specifically targets human trafficking and corruption due to the urgency of these issues and the potential for technology to make a significant impact. These areas are characterized by sizable communities and substantial relevant data, yet the use of data to motivate collective action remains challenging.

Human Trafficking: Victim case records contain valuable evidence, but privacy and safety concerns often prevent data sharing. Technology aims to enable safe and private sharing of sensitive case data.
Corruption: Open government data can reveal patterns of corruption, but deliberate suppression of incriminating relationships hinders detection. Technology seeks to map entity relationships and risks to enhance transparency.

Transparency-Enhancing Technologies

To address these challenges, Microsoft Research is developing a new class of "transparency-enhancing technologies" designed with human rights use cases, users, and stakeholders in mind. The current technology portfolio includes:

Intelligence Toolkit: Generates AI intelligence reports from real-world data sources.
Synthetic Data Showcase: Enables safe and private sharing of sensitive case data.
Transparency Engine: Maps entity relationships and risks to uncover hidden structures.
ShowWhy: Facilitates causal decision-making and evidence-based policy.

Collaborative Initiatives and Partnerships

Microsoft Research actively collaborates with industry, government, and civil society organizations to provide real-world context and enable the deployment of these technologies:

Tech Against Trafficking (TAT): An industry coalition working with global experts to eradicate human trafficking using technology.
Microsoft ACTS (Advanced Cloud Transparency Services): A CELA program that mobilizes data and technology to help governments accelerate transparency.

Project Details and Resources

The project page provides extensive resources, including:

Software Releases: Links to open-source code on GitHub for the Intelligence Toolkit, Synthetic Data Showcase, Transparency Engine, and ShowWhy.
Articles and Publications: Blog posts, research papers, and case studies detailing the technology and its applications.
Data Releases: Access to differentially-private synthetic datasets on human trafficking victims and victim-perpetrator relationships.
References in International Reports: Mentions in reports from organizations like the US Department of State and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Accelerator Programs: Initiatives like TAT's accelerator programs that foster innovation in combating modern slavery.
Landscape Mapping: Tools like the TAT interactive map of anti-trafficking technology.
Testimonies: Contributions to US Congressional Hearings on the role of technology in combating human trafficking.

Key Technologies and Their Applications

1. Intelligence Toolkit:

Purpose: Generates AI intelligence reports from diverse data sources.
Resources: Open-source code on GitHub.
Related Articles: "Empowering NGOs with generative AI in the fight against human trafficking."

2. Synthetic Data Showcase:

Purpose: Facilitates secure and private sharing of sensitive data, crucial for human rights research.
Resources: Open-source code, public utility web app, PAC-Synth synthesizer.
Data Releases: Differentially-private synthetic data on human trafficking victims and relationships, with links to IOM and CTDC datasets.
References: US Department of State TIP Report, IOM reports.

3. Transparency Engine:

Purpose: Maps entity relationships and risks to reveal hidden structures, particularly in combating corruption.
Resources: Open-source code, articles on revealing corruption structures, Microsoft ACTS integration.
Academic Approach: Research on spectral embedding and dynamic networks.

4. ShowWhy:

Purpose: Enables causal decision-making and evidence-based policy development.
Resources: Open-source code, articles on causal AI, tutorials on translating data into evidence.
Videos: Demonstrations and tutorials on YouTube.

**5. Tech Against Trafficking (TAT):

Purpose: An industry coalition focused on leveraging technology to combat human trafficking.
Resources: Homepage, BSR initiative page, case studies, videos, accelerator program details, landscape mapping tools, and testimonies.
Impact: Contributes to international reports and policy discussions.

6. Microsoft ACTS:

Purpose: Mobilizes data and technology for government transparency, focusing on beneficial ownership and open contracting.
Resources: Homepage, feature articles, spotlights on partnerships with Open Ownership and Open Contracting Partnership.

Conclusion

The Human Rights Technology initiative by Microsoft Research demonstrates a commitment to using advanced technological capabilities, particularly in AI and data science, to address critical societal challenges. Through collaboration and the development of innovative tools, the project aims to empower communities and organizations in their efforts to protect and promote human rights globally.