The Tech Revolution: Winning a Turbocharged Race

Technological revolutions are and have always been a double edge sword, given how fast they are adopted, for good and for bad. Laws, policies, and practices usually must race, to catch up. The current tech revolution, fuelled by artificial intelligence, has unleashed a dark side where deep fakes, high tech surveillance, large scale disinformation -and more- are exploited by both organised crime and the corrupt. This is the era of the information warfare.

We face immense opportunities yet unprecedented risks. Our movement is being benefited by early and witty adopters, but also strives to be ahead of fast and opportunistic users without a moral compass. We seek to bring greater understanding of the immense positive power of the latest tech innovations, showcase the best examples while also learning how they are turbocharging the corrupt. We aim to equip our global movement with the necessary knowledge to maximise the opportunities brought by the current revolution, to win the tech fuelled anticorruption race.

• MACHINE LEARNING, SATELLITES AND JOURNALISTS JOIN FORCES IN THE RAINFOREST (Ws 6.2)

  Researchers have long used machine learning to analyse large databases. However, the rapid advance of neural networks has allowed these models, previously restricted to academia and business, to be applied to investigative journalism. This panel will show how data scientists teamed up with investigative journalists to uncover environmental crimes in rainforests across the world.

  Coordinated by Pulitzer Center

  Featuring Pulitzer Center, Earth Genome, Armando Info Venezuela and Global Witness

• New Frontiers in Using Leaked Data for Anti-Corruption Research (Ws 2.8)

  Reporting on leaked financial records from offshore havens and high-risk jurisdictions has sent shockwaves around the world. In the hands of data scientists, political scientists and economists, these data can reveal yet more insights into the workings of the shadow financial world. This panel examines this new frontier’s potential, challenges and ethics in anti-corruption research.

  Coordinated by Anti-Corruption Data Collective (ACDC)

  Featuring Anti-Corruption Data Collective (ACDC), Platform for Protecting Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), George Washington University and Distributed Denial of Secrets

• AI: Ally or Enemy? Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Procurement & Democracy-Building (Ws 1.6)

  This session seeks to explore the complexities and contradictions of artificial intelligence and technology’s role in fighting corruption in public procurement and building democracy. With a particular focus on case studies from the global south (Africa specifically), reflections will centre on the experiences and expertise of actors in civil society, the private sector and government.

  Coordinated by Public Service Accountability Monitor

  Featuring PSAM Regional Learning Programme, Corruption Watch, Open Ownership, United Nations (UN), Former Minister of Finance, South Africa and MTN Board

• Tackling corruption as an enabler of organised crime (Ws 8.6)?

  This workshop aims to explore the nexus between corruption and organised crime in European seaports. The aim is 1) to explore corruption and organised crime challenges facing major ports in Europe, 2) to share good practices in tackling them, and 3) discuss ways forward for international collective action, with the ultimate goal of enhancing resilience of ports to the infiltration of corruption.

  Coordinated by Ecorys

  Featuring DG HOME – European Commission, Europol, the European Financial and Economic Crime Centre, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Fondazione SAFE

• Tech for Integrity, Integrity in Tech: Risks and Opportunities of AI (Ws 2.6)

  Artificial intelligence shows immense promise in fostering integrity. However, with equally great risks of its misuse and abuse, questions about its integrity abound. This workshop aims to explore how the threats and risks from AI can and should be managed to fully harness its benefits for embedding integrity in governance systems and showcase what key actors have done to regulate AI for good.

  Coordinated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

• Empowering Change: Women Leading AI in Anticorruption (Ws 7.6)

  There is a lack of women’s representation in the AI field. Nonetheless, women are using these technologies in anti-corruption efforts while also considering limitations and ethical issues associated with AI. This workshop on using AI in anti-corruption will explore ethical dilemmas, opportunities, challenges, and gender inclusion in this fascinating new field for public policy and research.

  Coordinated by Action4Justice

  Featuring Politecnico di Milano, University of Bologna, Anticorruption Action Center, Centre for Digital Governance - Hertie School of Governance and DLA Piper

• Corruption and Cryptocurrency. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Ws 6.6)

  We will teach crypto beginners how to monitor and trace cryptocurrency on the blockchain and facilitate a debate about how best to deploy crypto and blockchain to fight corruption. Our techniques could be useful for journalists, government regulators, and corporations interested in identifying and curbing the use of cryptocurrency to fund corruption.

  Coordinated by StoneTurn

  Featuring StoneTurn, CNBC Crypto Contributor, Helium Foundation and Former European Union Government Official

• How to Turn the Tide of a Turbocharged Race against Corruption and Impunity? (Ws 10.4)

  Banks collaborate with specialised companies to implement mechanisms to detect and prevent dirty money flows. The vast volume of transactions, the intricate global nature of corruption and the increasing use of technology embolden criminals to frustrate these efforts. Panellists will exchange views on the global policy framework required to turn the tide of this turbocharged race.

  Coordinated by DT4C Alliance

  Featuring DT4C Alliance, Bank of Lithuania, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Law firm Sorainen, Lithuanian AML Centre of Excellence and Transparency International

• Technology and Innovation to Supercharge Multisectoral Anti-Corruption Efforts

  Digital technologies, innovation boost anti-corruption efforts and accelerate progress in achieving the SDGs. This workshop aims to showcase practitioners’ perspectives from country-level adoption of technologies that are helping in the fight against corruption in various sectors. Opportunities and challenges such as the digital divide and data privacy, will also be explored and solutions proposed.

  Coordinated by World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Network on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability (GNACTA) Steering Committee

  Featuring United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Network on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability (GNACTA) Steering Committee

• On the (Dirty) Money Trail, Lots of Fallen Trees (Ws 3.6)

  Participants of this workshop will gain practical insights into environmental investigations. They will analyse real cases of investigations into deforestation, timber trafficking, and land grabbing. An ad-hoc learning game will help them identify the challenges in obtaining information, whether accessing databases, finding leaks and whistle-blowers, or difficulties accessing sources securely.

  Coordinated by Journalismfund Europe

  Featuring Journalismfund Europe, Global Witness Center for Investigative Reporting - BiH and a politics, global trade and environment journalist

• Elections in The Digital Era: Threats and Opportunities for Democracy (Ws 5.6)

  In 2024, more than half the world will head to the elections, facing new challenges caused by the sharp development of technologies. The workshop addresses strategies to combat threats like AI misuse, bot attacks, and spreading misinformation on social media that could compromise the integrity of political campaigns. We’ll also spotlight how digital tools can enhance election transparency.

  Coordinated by The CHESNO Movement

  Featuring The CHESNO Movement, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Meta and Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau Latvia

• Innovation and Action: Addressing Corruption from Diverse Perspectives (Ws 10.6)

  Workshop “Innovation and Action”: Explore innovative solutions to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and human rights, emphasizing the inclusion of population groups. Objectives: promote awareness and participation of population groups, exchange experiences, identify tools, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and develop concrete actions.

  Coordinated by Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa (ASJ), Transparency International Honduras (TI - Honduras)

• A Deeper take on The Costs of Illicit Financial Flows and Proceeds of Corruption (Ws. 11.6)

  Illicit financial flows (IFFs) strip countries of important resources and pose challenges to the integrity of financial systems, yet efforts to tackle them have been insufficient. Moreover, the known estimates of the magnitude of IFFs, while significant and useful, do not provide a clear picture of the economic impact and costs of these flows for countries. The session will discuss new approaches to understanding and tackling IFFs, with a focus on identifying core risks and channels associated with the underlying financial crimes such as corruption and tax evasion, and the specific role of countries, including large financial centers, that facilitate and shelter illicit financial flows.

  Coordinated by International Monetary Fund (IMF)