Press Release
Published on February 6, 2025
Washington, DC– Human Rights First today launched Democracy Watch, a new AI-powered tool that tracks executive actions and legislation, federally and in all 50 states, that undermine civil and human rights, such as by degrading democratic institutions like libraries or public education, or by infringing on the rights of individuals, like immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, or members of other groups targeted by rights-restricting proposals. The AI model flags and categorizes potentially harmful legislation, which is then reviewed by policy experts before being published to the site. This ‘human-in-the-loop’ model of collaborating with AI allows a small team to keep up with the flood of legislation that would otherwise be too resource intensive to track.
Democracy Watch is designed to support collective action. It empowers advocates, researchers, journalists, students, and citizens to monitor, track and analyze legislation and executive orders that threaten democratic institutions or rights. Human Rights First is partnering with individuals and entities around the country interested in using this tool to scale their efforts. For example, UCLA Law students will be using Democracy Watch to analyze legislative trends. Human Rights First is in the process of establishing additional partnerships with experts and members of impacted communities.
Human Rights First’s Innovation Lab and policy experts created Democracy Watch to counter the rise in anti-democratic efforts. By identifying bills pending in Congress and state houses across the country, Democracy Watch provides up-to-date information about threats that might have previously flown under the radar. The tool allows users to track trends and provides a hub for engagement and coordination on cross-issue advocacy strategies.
“At the Innovation Lab, we look for ways that tech can empower people,“ said Perris Richter, Senior Director of Human Rights First’s Innovation Lab. “Tech has rightly gotten a lot of criticism for the way it can enable bad actors to limit people’s rights. But tech is too powerful to be left solely in the wrong hands. People working to secure greater freedom must also have access to the tools that allow them greater reach and impact.”
“We are currently experiencing an onslaught of anti-democratic activity,” said Hanah Stiverson, Associate Director of Human Rights First’s Democracy Protection work. “No one person, or group of people, can effectively counter it alone. It will take communities working together to stand up against the rise of authoritarianism and the dismantling of our civil rights. I’m looking forward to seeing Democracy Watch serve as a tool to assist people in these important fights.”
Access Democracy Watch
https://www.democracywatchtracker.com/
Democracy Watch is currently in Beta and will continue to be updated based on user feedback. To speak with Richter or Stiverson, please contact press@humanrightsfirst.org.
