Human rights activists from around the world are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to amplify their work. At a recent hackathon in Washington, D.C., activists, developers, and AI agents formed unlikely teams to create digital tools that help solve real-world problems. Evan Mawarire, a pastor from Zimbabwe, was one of the participants. He developed a scheduler tool aimed at helping activists carve out time for breaks. Mawarire noted that while he's more comfortable fighting against government surveillance, he's learning that technology isn't inherently evil and can be a useful tool.
The hackathon, organized by the Human Rights Foundation, brought together 10 activists from around the world to compete and create digital tools that can be used to solve real-world problems. Each team was paired with an AI assistant, which significantly sped up the development process. In the past, such hackathons would often result in proofs of concept that required significant funding and technical expertise to bring to life. However, with AI coding agents, teams were able to build functional tools in just two days.
One of the teams, led by Biljana Spasovska, a civil society leader from North Macedonia, worked on a database documenting attacks on civic spaces. The team made rapid progress, and their database was quickly taking shape. Meanwhile, developer Lisa Neigut, who works under the online moniker Niftynei, was part of a team that built an online database for activists. Neigut noted that AI can be concerning because it allows attackers to find flaws in software quickly. However, she also believes that AI can be used to find and fix those flaws first.
The hackathon showcased a range of innovative projects, including a tool that allows protesters to document what they see on the streets in real-time and upload evidence to a secure cloud server. Another team, led by Carine Kanimba of Rwanda, developed a website called Behind the Jersey, which reveals the money behind favorite soccer teams and their sponsors' human rights records. Kanimba's project aimed to expose the Rwandan government's contracts with top-rank soccer teams and its alleged role in fueling a civil war in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The atmosphere at the hackathon was electric, with participants excitedly sharing their ideas and progress. The event demonstrated the potential of AI to enhance human rights work and the creativity of activists and developers when given the opportunity to collaborate. Mawarire emphasized that activism must evolve to be effective, and harnessing AI can be a key part of that evolution.
The winning project, Behind the Jersey, was already live and accessible online. Kanimba's team had successfully created a functional website in just two days, showcasing the speed and potential of AI-assisted development. The project highlights the potential for AI to be used for social good and the importance of collaboration between activists, developers, and technologists.
The use of AI in human rights work is a rapidly evolving field, and events like the hackathon demonstrate the potential for AI to be harnessed for positive change. As activists and developers continue to explore the possibilities of AI, it is likely that we will see more innovative projects and solutions emerge. The key will be to ensure that these technologies are developed and used responsibly and for the greater good.
Key points
- Activists and developers are teaming up to harness AI for social good.
- The use of AI in human rights work is a rapidly evolving field.
- Events like the hackathon demonstrate the potential for AI to be harnessed for positive change.
