The 3rd pilot of the VANGUARD EU project took place on July 8th, 2026, online, under the leadership of the Estonian Police (EPBGB). The pilot focused on testing and evaluating the updated version of the VANGUARD AI-based solutions that enable the automatic discovery and analysis of content posted on online sources to improve the intelligence picture and support the early identification of potential human trafficking victims and perpetrators.ย
More than 30 participants, among them 20 end-users from police and border guard authorities, participated in the pilot demonstration and were asked to evaluate theย thirdย ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐๐ก๐๐จ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ง๐ผ๐ผ๐น๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ, featuring:
- Acquisition of relevant online content
- Text analysis for recognition of entities of interest
- Multimedia content analysis (tattoos, birthmarks)
- Geo-location analysis
- Risk assessment tools
- Predictive analytics capabilities
Participants were also introduced to the VANGUARD THB Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration platform, designed to enhance collaboration among stakeholders, including THB survivors, LEAs, and NGO caseworkers. The platform follows a specific structure and architecture, and includes functionalities to raise awareness, facilitate the safe sharing of experiences and information, strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders, and help users find support, guidance, and a safe point of contact when needed.
Thoughtful discussions and constructive feedback were provided by the end-users during the pilot demonstration, as they were presented with solutions directly responding toย real-world law enforcement needsย in fighting trafficking in human beings, especially at the exploitation stages. Participants also offered valuable insights regarding the significant added value of collaboration among different entities for a more holistic approach to tackling human trafficking. The feedback received will directly inform the next iteration of the ToolSuite and the Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration platform, which will become a cornerstone for cross-border THB intelligence exchange and coordinated response among LEAs, NGOs and survivors.
