Artificial Intelligence

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) dramatically reshapes the world, the humanitarian sector must navigate a path that leverages AI's potential to enhance humanitarian practice while addressing its associated challenges and risks.

With global humanitarian needs at an all-time high - driven by prolonged conflicts, climate change, and increasing fragility and resources stretched thinner than ever, innovative solutions are urgently required to address shared challenges effectively.

Mapping AI-enabled projects for humanitarian impact

Emerging technologies like AI have the potential to revolutionise humanitarian action by expanding reach, improving efficiency, and amplifying impact. Despite the rapid increase in AI pilot projects, adoption across the sector remains fragmented. Limited publicly available information about these initiatives hinders collaboration, lesson-sharing, and the development of safe and reliable AI solutions.

To bridge this gap, we’ve launched a project to map AI-enabled tools and projects supporting the humanitarian sector. This initiative aims to equip humanitarian practitioners with the tools to:

• Procure safe and dependable AI models.
• Foster collaboration and build on existing solutions.
• Address global humanitarian challenges through innovative approaches.

We invite colleagues from both the humanitarian and technology sectors to contribute their insights to this growing open-access directory. By working together, we can foster future-ready innovations and partnerships to tackle the increasing scale of global humanitarian challenges.

AI solutions for humanitarian challenges

In collaboration with Elrha, this research identifies the challenges and opportunities associated with AI adoption in the humanitarian sector. It addresses critical issues, including:

• Ethical considerations, equity, and inclusion.
• Acceptability and feasibility of AI tools.
• Cost-effectiveness and strategies for risk mitigation.

Building on these insights, Elrha will launch a new AI funding scheme. This initiative will offer seed grants for developing AI-based solutions tailored to specific humanitarian challenges. A dedicated learning partner will support grantees by strengthening their capacity to integrate and scale AI technologies effectively.

Explore our AI solutions for humanitarian challenges project.