AI for Environmental Activism

Pushback against environmental activists’ and CSOs’ work increases. The parallel advancement of technology and AI amplifies state tools that target activists. ECNL is investigating how environmental activists are being harmed by laws and tech, in particular by use of AI, as well as how technology can provide safeguards and enable activists to continue and scale up their important work. This session aims to discuss how AI impacts positively and negatively environmental activism and to exchange on examples and ideas of how to use tech and legal solutions to tackle specific challenges faced by activists by addressing the following questions in small work groups: Map the threat – how AI impacts activism? How can AI be helpful for the work of environmental activists? What tactics can be used to avoid negative impact of AI and existing technologies? What other tech-based solutions can support the work of activists?