In recent years, innovation has become an integral part of the humanitarian sector. Thanks to technology, it has been possible to improve and expand the impact of some humanitarian missions worldwide. MOAS, through the use of drones during search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean, has been a firm supporter of the importance of technology as a tool to save lives.
In recent years, the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened new possible scenarios for interventions in the event of natural disasters, conflict zones, and large-scale displacement. Artificial intelligence has emerged as a potential game-changer, offering a range of tools and applications to improve humanitarian action.
Benefits
AI technologies can process big amounts of data providing essential insights to predict potential crises . Through data-driven machine learning and statistical models, humanitarian organisations can become aware of the risks before a natural disaster, displacement, refugee movement, famines and health emergencies. These analyses can contribute to a more rapid and effective intervention, potentially saving lives and minimizing damage. Still, they can also help humanitarian organizations make decisions about resource allocation and intervention strategies.
AI can analyse satellite imagery, drone footage, and social media data to assess the scale and nature of a disaster or conflict zone. This helps humanitarian organizations target resources effectively and prioritize areas of greatest need.
On the logistical and resource management side, AI can optimize supply chains and streamline transportation routes. This ensures faster delivery of aid to affected populations. The benefits of AI also involve the field of communication with the possibility to provide vital information and support to people in need in multiple languages, answering questions related to aid distribution, healthcare services, legal rights, and any other useful information.
AI can also minimise risks faced by human personnel in dangerous or inaccessible areas, thanks to the use of AI-powered robots that can be deployed to deliver aid, conduct search and rescue operations, or demine in war areas.
Challenges
Despite the benefits, AI also presents challenges related to the reliability and quality of the data. AI algorithms rely on large, high-quality datasets for training and operation, and obtaining accurate and unbiased data in resource-constrained humanitarian settings can be difficult. In addition, the access to the data raises some questions about privacy risks.
The data quality challenge is intricately linked to potential bias within AI systems. This bias isn’t just a technical issue, it can also stem from the human perspectives, prejudices, and stereotypes that inevitably influence the design and development process. These biases can then be reflected in the AI’s outputs, leading to unfair outcomes and discriminatory practices.
A further challenge is the lack of technological infrastructure in remote areas, where implementing AI is difficult without internet connectivity.
It’s important to underline that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise and judgment. Humanitarian workers with local knowledge and cultural sensitivity are crucial for successful interventions.
Impact
AI has the potential to transform the humanitarian landscape by increasing efficiency and effectiveness, expanding reach and coverage, minimizing risks faced by humanitarian workers during disaster response and conflict zones and strengthening evidence-based decision making.
The impact of AI for humanitarian response is evident in relevant applications. In 2019, AI-powered disaster mapping tools played a critical role in Mozambique, enabling a rapid and effective emergency response. In Project Jetson, launched by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), AI utilizes predictive analytics to anticipate forced displacement situations, allowing for proactive interventions.
Ethical Considerations
However, concerns have been growing among experts and humanitarian advocates regarding the potential risks associated with deploying AI in humanitarian contexts. The most relevant issues are linked to transparency and accountability, data privacy and security, algorithmic bias and human oversight. Humanitarian organizations must be transparent about who is responsible for their outcomes, and the personal data of vulnerable individuals collected by AI systems needs robust protection from unauthorized access and misuse. Training data sets and AI algorithms must be carefully vetted to prevent bias against specific ethnicities, religions, or genders when allocating aid or making decisions. And, last but not least, AI should be used as a tool to augment human decision-making, not replace it. Humanitarian workers with local knowledge and ethical considerations must remain at the forefront of interventions.
Conclusion
AI is a powerful tool with the potential to revolutionise the humanitarian sector. However, its successful implementation requires careful consideration of ethical principles, data security, and ensuring human expertise remains central to decision-making. By harnessing the power of AI responsibly, humanitarian organizations can improve their reach and effectiveness and save more lives.
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