AI-Enhanced Labor Trafficking Prosecution and Civil Penalties

The Human Trafficking Data Lab is evaluating whether our AI-driven decision support tool designed to help prosecutors more efficiently identify and pursue labor trafficking cases increases both the number of cases advancing to formal prosecution and the monetary value of civil penalties and restitution obtained. 

In Brazil, labor trafficking cases are primarily pursued in civil court, aiming to hold both individual perpetrators and firms (which cannot be prosecuted criminally) accountable, provide restitution for survivors, and create financial disincentives for future violations. However, prosecutors face growing caseloads and extensive investigative requirements, which create backlogs, delays, and can even undermine anti-trafficking efforts. As such, there is a significant need for identifying effective tools that can help prosecutors process cases more efficiently and effectively. While preliminary evidence suggests that AI tools can effectively reduce delays and improve investigative workflows, rigorous evaluations are needed to determine whether these tools ultimately lead to a higher rate of perpetrator prosecution. 

Location: Brazil (nationwide)

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