Policy Strategy for Combating AI-Assisted Coercive Control

Open
Feminine Intelligence Agency
New York, New York, United States
Employer
(51)
4
Project
Academic experience
300 hours of work total
Learner
Anywhere
Intermediate level

Project scope

Categories
Gender studies Law and policy Social justice
Skills
computer and network surveillance emotional intelligence advocacy courage ethical standards and conduct chatbot scalability cyber security intelligence agency infographics
Details

The Feminine Intelligence Agency (FIA) is a research and public policy organization dedicated to advancing Social Discernment—the ability to detect manipulation early, respond effectively, and protect personal and collective agency in complex social environments.

FIA is developing a comprehensive curriculum, scalable tools, and legal frameworks to address coercive control, emotional exploitation, and tech-enabled manipulation in relationships and digital life.


Our work focuses on:

  • 🧠 Social Discernment Curriculum: A new field of emotional intelligence that helps people recognize coercion, power games, and deceptive language before harm occurs.
  • 📱 Player Identifier Chatbot: A predictive tool that analyzes early relationship patterns to help users recognize emotionally dangerous individuals.
  • 🔍 AI Language Training App (ChatBoy) that teaches users to spot manipulative language across different contexts—dating, work, friendship, and family.
  • 🧘‍♀️ Peer-to-Peer Wellness Platform: A non-therapeutic, group-based support system designed for women navigating emotional burnout and frustration in high-conflict or confusing relationships.
  • 🔐 Cybersecurity for Women: A decentralized, peer-led training program that focuses on emotional safety, social engineering, and digital resilience—especially for those targeted by psychological abuse or coercion online.


FIA’s work bridges public policy, digital safety, and emotional intelligence to help individuals and institutions detect invisible threats and respond with clarity, ethics, and courage.


This project explores how the United States might adopt policies to criminalize coercive control in intimate and institutional relationships, following the lead of countries like the UK, Scotland, and Ireland. Specifically, it will examine how emerging technologies—particularly generative AI—are amplifying patterns of manipulation, isolation, and psychological domination, a phenomenon we refer to as AI-Assisted Psychological Exploitation (AIPEx).


The student will assess:

  • How Britain successfully passed coercive control laws (strategy, framing, resistance)
  • Why similar efforts have struggled in the U.S. (cultural, legal, and political factors)
  • How new threats—especially tech-enabled coercion—may change the narrative or legislative appetite

The outcome will be a policy roadmap for how coercive control could be reframed, regulated, or outlawed in the U.S., including legal frameworks, political feasibility, and public engagement strategies.


📘 Policy Problem:

The U.S. lacks legal frameworks to address non-physical forms of abuse like gaslighting, digital surveillance, emotional manipulation, and isolation tactics—despite their well-documented psychological and economic impacts. The problem is compounded by AI tools that are being misused to amplify these tactics at scale (e.g., deepfakes, real-time surveillance, chatbot mirroring, voice cloning).

This project addresses both a market failure (unregulated tools enabling harm) and a government failure (lack of legal protections and prevention strategies for psychological abuse).


🧩 Key Questions to Explore:

  1. What legislative, advocacy, and cultural strategies made coercive control laws pass in the UK and Ireland?
  2. What would a U.S.-specific policy roadmap need to look like—legally, politically, and culturally?
  3. Could technology-driven manipulation (AIPex) be a wedge issue for reform or regulation?
  4. What risks or resistance would this proposal face from political, tech, or legal sectors?


Deliverables

Deliverables:

  • Comprehensive Policy Report (50-page analysis including legal context, strategic opportunities, and barriers)
  • Implementation Plan (framing, coalition-building, federal vs. state approach)
  • Policy Brief (3–5 pages summarizing findings and recommendations)
  • Op-ed Draft (for public engagement on the threat of AIPex)
  • Talking Points (for use by advocates, policymakers, and media)
  • Optional: Infographic (visualizing coercive control and AI-exploitation risks)


Mentorship
Domain expertise and knowledge

Providing specialized, in-depth knowledge and general industry insights for a comprehensive understanding.

Skills, knowledge and expertise

Sharing knowledge in specific technical skills, techniques, methodologies required for the project.

Hands-on support

Direct involvement in project tasks, offering guidance, and demonstrating techniques.

Tools and/or resources

Providing access to necessary tools, software, and resources required for project completion.

Regular meetings

Scheduled check-ins to discuss progress, address challenges, and provide feedback.

Supported causes

The global challenges this project addresses, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn more about all 17 SDGs here.

Gender equality

About the company

Company
New York, New York, United States
2 - 10 employees
Media & production, Non-profit, philanthropic & civil society
Representation
Minority-Owned Women-Owned BIPOC-Owned Small Business Social Enterprise
+ 3

FIA is developing tools and content for women to help spot powers moves and respond 10X more effectively, whether at work, in love, or with family members. By learning the skills of social discernment, you can keep your peace and your power when others try to throw you curveballs.