Stop abusing boy violence , human trafficking, Human Rights Day concept.
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) warmly invites you to attend the conference “AI & Human Trafficking: Threats, Tools, and Legal Frontiers”, to be held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00. Participation is open to the public. Registration is required
Human trafficking is becoming an increasingly technology-enabled crime. Perpetrators exploit social media algorithms, encrypted messaging platforms, deepfakes, as well as virtual currencies and peer-to-peer payment systems to recruit, manipulate, and profit from victims.
Tools based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) also offer opportunities to detect patterns, disrupt trafficking networks, and rescue victims. However, these innovations raise certain legal and operational challenges. EU legislation, which strongly protects citizens’ privacy and identity, establishes legal boundaries on the use of AI by law enforcement bodies in the prevention and fight against human trafficking.
Hosted at the European Parliament by MEP Javier Zarzalejos (EPP, Spain) and co-organised by COMECE and the Santa Marta Group, the conference provides a platform to shed light on and discuss the opportunities and challenges in combating human trafficking in Europe.
COMECE has long been committed to addressing the issue of human trafficking, supporting its victims and advocating at the European level for stronger and more effective action against this crime.
Participation: mandatory prior registration. Please register by clicking here
Event timing: Tuesday 30 September 2025 | 14.00 – 16.00
Venue: Brussels, European Parliament | Altiero Spinelli Building, Room: 5E3
Programme
14:00 – 14:15 | Welcoming
MEP Javier Zarzalejos
Fr Manuel Barrios, Secretary General of COMECE
Rt. Rev. William Kenney CP, Member of the Santa Marta Group
14:15 – 14:35 | AI: A New Avenue for Human Traffickers?
Mr Ilias Chatzis, Chief of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, UNODC (Vienna)
14:35 – 14:55 | The New Challenges Posed by AI in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Mr José Luis Bazán, Legal Adviser, COMECE
14:55 – 15:15 | An EU Perspective on AI and Human Trafficking
Ms Zsuzsanna Felkai Janssen, Team Leader, Office of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator
15:15 – 15:35 | The Legal Limits of AI in the EU: Law Enforcement Use of AI to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking
Ms Irina Orssich, Head of Governance and Regulatory Policy Sector, DG CNECT, European Commission
15:35 – 15:55 | Q&A
15:55 – 16:00 | Conclusions