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3 AI as an ally for humanitarian action

As our world undergoes rapid transformations and faces numerous complex challenges, the need for effective humanitarian action has never been more urgent. AI is at the forefront, offering solutions to aid people in need.

Activity 1 AI in humanitarian action

Timing: Allow approximately 10 minutes

This video highlights applications of AI in humanitarian contexts. Critically examine both the potential benefits and the limitations or risks of the application of AI for disaster forecasting using satellite imagery. You may want to think about who benefits from these applications, and who might be excluded? Who is responsible if these AI applications make incorrect decisions? Are there any privacy concerns? Are there any issues related to digital access or literacy that might limit effectiveness of such application?

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Transcript: Video 3

Voice-over:
In a world increasingly defined by rapid change and complex challenges, the need for effective humanitarian action is more critical than ever.
At the forefront of this pursuit is artificial intelligence, offering innovative solutions to aid those in need.
Annually, natural disasters impact the lives of over 350 million individuals.
The growing frequency and intensity of these events strain our capacity to respond with the necessary speed and appropriateness.
However, AI has the potential to change this process by forecasting disasters before they strike, transforming our approach from reactive to proactive.
This proactive approach is made possible by leveraging machine learning and high-resolution satellite imagery.
For example, Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, in collaboration with the Netherlands Red Cross, has successfully developed a convolutional neural network model that harnesses satellite imagery to enhance disaster relief efforts.
The destruction wrought by natural disasters often leaves homes in ruins, disproportionately affecting those with the least means to recover.
In response, AI is being harnessed to assess the vulnerability of individual homes and communities to natural disasters, focusing on construction as a key determinant of risk.
By leveraging this data and recognising the unique impacts of various natural disasters on housing, AI is enhancing the predictive capabilities of organisations like SEEDS.
In collaboration with communities affected by disasters, SEEDS focuses on nurturing long-term resilience.
Together with Microsoft and Gramener, SEEDS has created an AI model that sifts through extensive data to pinpoint local risk factors.
This united effort is streamlining disaster management strategies, easing the burdens on those most vulnerable.
Another critical humanitarian concern involves the displacement of individuals.
With millions worldwide facing displacement, it is crucial to optimise the distribution of resources.
AI plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient delivery of resources and services to refugees, ensuring assistance reaches the most vulnerable among us.
For example, in a collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council, NetHope and University College Dublin, Microsoft has developed an AI-powered chatbot designed to connect displaced youth with free, high-quality educational resources.
As we look to the future, the call to action is clear.
With the power of AI in our hands, we have better tools to address the world’s most pressing problems, and with these tools we can work together for a better tomorrow.
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Discussion

Disaster forecasting using AI and satellite imagery may enable early warning systems, potentially saving thousands of lives by allowing time for evacuation and reducing economic losses through advance planning and identifying patterns humans might miss. They may, however, require significant technological infrastructure not available in all at-risk regions, and false positives could also lead to warning fatigue. Additionally, such applications may not account for local knowledge and traditional warning systems. Satellite data may also have limited resolution in certain areas and more importantly there may be communities without digital access that won’t receive warnings, reinforcing the already existing social inequalities.

Recent AI advancements can help tackle some of the most pressing global challenges. As AI progresses, our capacity to address significant climate and humanitarian challenges enhances.