Winner

Project TEND, created by Petula Miller

JUSTICE.  Many trafficking prosecutions depend on survivors finding the strength to testify in court—often one of the most difficult steps in recovery. Project TEND is a free, anonymous web application that helps survivors prepare emotionally and practically for court in English or Spanish, without requiring a name, email, or phone number. Accessible from any web browser, it has the potential to support survivors worldwide—helping more survivors seek justice with dignity and confidence.

Runner-Up

Sentinel AI, created by Remi Pelta

PREVENTION.  Human trafficking often begins with a fraudulent job offer that promises opportunity but leads to exploitation. Sentinel AI analyzes suspicious recruitment advertisements, identifying warning signs such as fake accounts, recycled images, and deceptive claims. Designed for job platforms, NGOs, and investigators, it can help stop trafficking before it begins—protecting vulnerable people before they become victims.

Third Place

TRACE, created by Elke-Esmeralda Dikoume

IDENTIFICATION.  The first conversation with a potential trafficking survivor can determine whether they are identified, protected, or overlooked. TRACE gives frontline workers an AI assistant that transforms spoken or written notes into structured case records in five languages, even without an internet connection. By helping identify survivors faster and more consistently, it can connect more people to protection, support, and a pathway to recovery.

Distinguished Finalists:

Signal · Anticipate & Disrupt

By Firus Hanov

Warning signs of trafficking often appear in public records long before they are recognized. Signal analyzes court decisions, government reports, and news from around the world to identify emerging trafficking trends before they become widespread. Every alert is linked to its original source and must be reviewed by a human expert before it is shared.

NISUP · Assist & Amplify

By Swastik Aggarwal, Damini Pahuja, Radhika Aggarwal

Reporting trafficking should be as simple as speaking. NISUP allows survivors, witnesses, and people at risk to describe their situation by voice in English, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, or Bengali, then converts each conversation into a structured case record. It also connects related reports over time, helping investigators identify repeat offenders and trafficking networks.

Statement Auditor · Accountability & Justice

By Selim Sevim

Thousands of companies publish modern slavery statements, yet few receive meaningful review. Statement Auditor analyzes these reports against the requirements of the UK Modern Slavery Act, highlighting gaps and assigning transparent scores. Every finding is supported by exact quotations from the original document, ensuring every assessment can be verified.

SONGRER · Assist & Amplify

By Rachidatou Payao, Ouedraogo Mnuella, Alasane Deme, Haroun Kinda

Reporting exploitation should not require internet access or a smartphone. SONGRER enables people across West Africa to report suspected trafficking through a simple phone call in French, Wolof, or Moore. Each report is securely routed to trusted partner organizations that can provide assistance and take action.

Unseen Graph · Accountability & Justice

By Hyung Jun Kim

More than 21,000 modern slavery statements have been filed in the UK—far too many for manual review. Unseen Graph analyzes these reports and identifies those most in need of human attention, helping investigators focus their efforts where they matter most. Rather than making accusations, it raises questions and deliberately avoids conclusions when evidence is unclear.

LinguaShield · Anticipate & Disrupt

By Eunice Esi Essuman

Many trafficking cases begin with a deceptive job advertisement. LinguaShield analyzes online job postings and detects language patterns commonly associated with fraudulent recruitment before someone applies. Free to use and running entirely in a web browser, it can be easily added to career centers, employment websites, and community organizations.

Lumi · Anticipate & Disrupt

By Jess Sun, Andres Zepeda, Faranak Jahedi

Border and airport officers often have only minutes to recognize a potential trafficking victim. Lumi is an AI-powered training simulator that helps officers practice realistic conversations and receive personalized coaching based on their responses. Designed to improve judgment rather than reinforce stereotypes, it encourages more effective and unbiased victim identification.

Art Against Trafficking Award

Invisible Threads

By Nasrin Iravani

A series of interactive 3D-printed clay sculptures that trace a survivor's journey from silence and fear to resilience and hope. As viewers move through the installation, the artwork responds to their presence, creating a deeply personal experience. A trafficking survivor who independently reviewed the work described its portrayal of the survivor experience as "100% on target."