The Project

The project, centered at SMU and generously funded by a non-competitive grant of more than $1,000,000, aims to address the glaring deficiencies in human trafficking data. While the need for robust, high-quality data in the domain of human trafficking is well recognized, acquiring it remains a challenge. With Dr. Corey Clark bringing his expertise and dedication to the project, SMU’s Human Trafficking Project seeks to combine a plethora of expertise to enhance the efficacy of data collection and analysis.

BALANCED Media|Technology’s Role in the Initiative

As experts in constructing human-in-the-loop interactive engines, BALANCED specializes in creating interfaces that connect players to real-world scientific data, thus helping train AI models. The collaboration with SMU, further strengthened by Dr. Clark’s insights, is poised to take this expertise to the next level. By engaging players in meaningful tasks related to real-world data, BALANCED’s systems offer an effective and efficient way to refine and train AI models, allowing them to recognize patterns and draw insights that can be transformative in areas such as human trafficking research.

Enter ‘Dark Shadows’

A novel game titled “Dark Shadows” stands as the centerpiece of this initiative. Set in a noir, detective milieu, where players delve into a “whodunit” mystery to uncover the circumstances surrounding a character’s missing brother. However, “Dark Shadows” isn’t just any game with a captivating storyline. The ingenuity of “Dark Shadows” is that it doubles up as a tool for a process known as Human Computation Gaming (HCG), wherein players contribute to training of a Machine Learning System or AI Model. Co-developed by Steph Buongiorno (who won the computer science category at SMU’s Graduate Poster Session for the game), and with key contributions from Dr. Corey Clark and BALANCED’s Interactive Media team, Players navigate through a mystery, sorting through DOJ press releases to tag entities. As they progress in the game, they’re essentially feeding the underlying AI model with invaluable data. This unique model of merging gameplay with crowdsourced AI training data exemplifies the future of interactive gaming with tangible real-world impacts.

The Potential Impact

Once enough data is collected and analyzed through this system, the AI, fed by crowdsourced AI training data, can potentially identify patterns and hotspots related to human trafficking incidents. Dr. Corey Clark’s involvement ensures that the research’s potential is maximized, empowering law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders to act more decisively and effectively.

Collaboration at Its Best

This initiative underscores the power of collaboration. SMU offers research depth, Dr. Corey Clark provides invaluable expertise, Steph Buongiorno lends creativity and vision, the DOJ provides real-world case files, and BALANCED brings in the platform and technological prowess to bind everything together. By fusing academia, technology, and social responsibility, this collaborative effort symbolizes hope and promise in the global fight against human trafficking.

Conclusion

The blend of gaming, technology, and human intelligence offers a fresh perspective on tackling pressing societal issues. With the dedication of institutions like SMU, innovators like Steph Buongiorno, visionaries like Dr. Corey Clark, and tech leaders like BALANCED Media|Technology, there’s renewed hope that the darkness of hum

🔗 Read more about this effort at the SMU website

🔗 This project was also featured in an article by Dallas Innovates

🔗 Read about the grant at National Institute of Justice website

BALANCED

The game is based on the popular game “Fallen Shadows”, which was created by BALANCED’s CEO, Robert Atkins. By playing “Dark Shadows”, gamers will teach the AI behind the game to improve its accuracy and efficiency in identifying and connecting data points from different sources. This innovative approach, known as “human-in-the-loop AI”, will save time and resources for law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations, as well as provide new insights into the patterns and trends of human trafficking in the U.S. BALANCED is honored to collaborate with SMU and other partners on this important initiative that demonstrates the potential of video games and AI to make a positive difference in the world.

🔗 Read more about this effort at the SMU website

🔗 This project was also featured in an article by Dallas Innovates

As Deputy Director of Research at SMU Guildhall, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at SMU, and CTO of BALANCED Media | Technology, Dr. Clark’s multifaceted role uniquely positions him at the forefront of cutting-edge advancements. His remarkable contributions have garnered recognition worldwide, securing significant funding and leading groundbreaking DoD R&D projects.

The event will take place on May 24, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (CST). Join esteemed professionals to explore the intricate relationship between humanity and technology. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and insights from Dr. Clark as he delves into the transformative potential of this collaboration. Visit this link for more information: Mankind & Machine Mayhem: How Human-Hijinks Hack ML Hysteria

Update (06/24/23): We had a full house! You can watch an excerpt posted by Dallas AI here: Mankind and Machine Learning (Video Excerpt)

Dallas, TX – April 19, 2023 – InnoTech Dallas, a renowned technology conference, hosted a captivating session titled “The Convergence of AI and the Metaverse – What Does This Mean for Humanity?” The event, held on Wednesday, April 19, from 9:00 am to 9:45 am, brought together industry experts to delve into the profound implications of merging artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse. Attendees were treated to an engaging discussion, shedding light on the future impact of this convergence on human experiences.

The speaking engagement featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers. Matt Hopper, Director of Development at Oculus VR, Meta, brought over two decades of experience in interactive software development to the discussion. Hopper’s extensive portfolio showcases his lead designer and creative director roles in numerous award-winning projects, contributing significantly to the industry’s advancement.

Another speaker, Corey Clark, PhD, holds the position of CTO at BALANCED Media|Technology. Dr. Clark’s expertise lies in gaming, systems biology, distributed computing, and AI/ML. With a background in finding solutions to large-scale problems, he has raised substantial funding for research and led successful projects in these domains.

The lineup of speakers also included Robert Atkins, CEO & Co-Founder of BALANCED Media|Technology. Atkins has made significant contributions to the interactive entertainment industry, having founded multiple successful companies and contributed to over 50 acclaimed titles. His work has been recognized for promoting collaborative innovation, immersive learning, and interactive machine learning.

The session explored the potential impact of merging AI and the metaverse. By leveraging the computational power of AI, the metaverse becomes more realistic and immersive, transforming virtual reality experiences into something far more useful and applicable. Attendees were invited to envision a future where this convergence enables deeper human connections and allows individuals to focus on what truly matters to them.

InnoTech Dallas aimed to provide an interactive and participatory experience for attendees, encouraging them to engage with the speakers and actively contribute to the exploration of this exciting topic. The event urged participants to approach the discussion with open minds and curious imaginations, embarking on a collective journey into the future of technology and its profound implications for humanity.

For more information about InnoTech Dallas and future events, please visit their website at InnoTech Dallas | IT Conference | Dallas, TX

About InnoTech Dallas: InnoTech Dallas is a renowned technology conference that brings together innovators, thought leaders, and industry experts to explore and showcase the latest advancements in technology. The conference offers engaging sessions, interactive exhibits, and networking opportunities, providing valuable insights into emerging technologies and their impact on businesses and society.

AI/ET Partnership Series #3 featured a range of distinguished speakers who brought their expertise to the forefront. 

• Romelia Flores, IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor, shared valuable insights on key IP considerations associated with AI-driven innovations. 
• Rus Holloway, Deputy General Counsel – Intellectual Property at Bell Textron Inc., provided perspectives on the current state of AI technology in the invention creation process. 
• Denise Niles Canales, Assistant Vice President of Technology Commercialization at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, contributed her expertise on addressing inventions created with significant AI contributions. 
• Hilda Galvan, Partner-in-Charge at Jones Day, as well as Jay Johnson, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Counsel at Charles Schwab, provided valuable insights into the unanticipated IP challenges arising from AI-driven innovation, including enforcement and litigation implications. 

The AI/ET Partnership Series brought together a diverse group of speakers who provided valuable insights into the intellectual property (IP) policy issues surrounding AI-driven innovation. Among these experts, Dr. Corey Clark, delivered a compelling presentation on human-in-the-loop machine learning techniques. Dr. Clark’s expertise demonstrated the potential impact of AI on the future of the IP ecosystem. For those interested in watching his insightful talk, the recorded session in the link below.

USPTO AI/ET Partnership Series #3