On July 10, 2025, UNDAC hosted a well-attended webinar on Artificial Intelligence, aimed at demystifying AI and exploring how it can support and enhance humanitarian response efforts. Designed specifically for UNDAC members, regardless of technical background, the session introduced the fundamentals of AI: what it is, how it works, and why it matters. The webinar combined short plenary explanations, real-world use cases, and interactive discussions. Participants explored the ethical, legal, and operational risks of integrating AI into humanitarian work, while also examining how to engage with these technologies responsibly. The session shed light on what AI can, and can’t, do, and how it can be incorporated into the work of humanitarian professionals.
Panelists:
- Lucien Jaggi (Moderator) : Human Affairs Officer in OCHA, based in Geneva.
- Kenny Meesters: UNDAC member from the Netherlands, lecturer and researcher at Tilburg University.
- Patrick Mckay: UAS Data Operation Manager at WFP.
- José Cobos: Head of Partnership and Innovation at Data Friendly Space.
- Marc Pierre Belanger: Public Information Officer at UNOCHA
Video Recordings of Webinar Sessions:
- Part 1: Webinar on AI in Emergency Response, Opening by Lucien Jaggi, OCHA
- Part 2: Webinar on AI Emergency Response, Introduction by Kenny Meesters, University of Tilburg
- Part 3: Webinar on AI in Emergency Response Use Case Machine Learning in Emergency by Patrick McKay, WFP
- Part 4: Webinar on AI in Emergency Response Use Case GANNET by José Cobos, Data Friendly Space
- Part 5: Webinar on AI in Emergency Response Use Case AI for Reporting in the field by M Belanger, OCHA
Webinar Overview: AI in Emergency Response
Introduction and Sign-In
Lucien welcomed participants and introduced the session, emphasizing the importance of AI in emergency response. The agenda included an introduction, a plenary session on AI, a break, a panel discussion, and a Q&A session.
AI in Emergency Response
Kenny discussed the integration of AI in emergency response, highlighting its potential to revolutionize information management and productivity. He shared his experience using ChatGPT during a UNDAC refresher course, where he used the tool to assist with various tasks such as drafting emails, brainstorming, and creating reports. Kenny emphasized the importance of prompt engineering and the need for clear instructions to get the most useful output from AI tools. He also mentioned the ethical, legal, and societal aspects of AI, stressing the importance of transparency and responsible use.
Use of Drones and AI
Patrick presented WFP's use of drones and the DEEP tool for damage assessment in emergencies. He explained how DEEP, an offline tool, can analyze drone and high-resolution satellite data to identify and classify damaged structures. Patrick shared examples from Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, where DEEP significantly reduced the time required for damage assessment. He also highlighted the importance of designing tools that can operate in low-bandwidth environments and the need for local capacity building.
Data Friendly Space Tools
José introduced tools developed by Data Friendly Space, such as the Virtual Assistant and Situation Hub, which provide a safe space for AI use in humanitarian contexts. He explained how these tools were used in the Myanmar earthquake response to provide area profiles, daily briefings, and ad hoc analysis. José emphasized the importance of data preparedness and the flexibility of AI tools in responding to specific needs. He also mentioned the need for a community of practice to develop best practices and regulations for AI use in the humanitarian sector.
AI in Reporting and Communication
Marc shared practical examples of using AI for reporting and communication. He demonstrated how structured prompts can enhance clarity and consistency in mission reports, and how AI can help synthesize information from various sources. Marc emphasized the importance of providing clear instructions to AI tools and the need for human oversight to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the output. He also highlighted the potential of AI to support multilingual environments by translating and synthesizing information in different languages.
Ethical and Practical Considerations
Participants discussed the ethical use of AI, the need for transparency, and the importance of training and best practices in the humanitarian sector. Kenny and José emphasized the need for transparency, responsible use, and the development of best practices and regulations.
Future AI Integration
Kenny and other participants emphasized the need for a continuously updated catalog of AI tools and initiatives, and the potential for creating template prompts for UNDAC missions. They discussed the importance of partnerships with organizations that develop and use AI tools, and the need for training and capacity building to ensure responsible and effective use of AI in emergency response.
Closing Remarks
Lucien concluded the session by highlighting the importance of integrating AI into training and future missions. He announced upcoming improvements to Kobo as well as the UNDAC alert system, including a new app and voice call feature for alerts. Lucien thanked the participants and encouraged them to continue exploring the potential of AI in their work.
Key Takeaways:
- AI has the potential to revolutionize information management and productivity in emergency response.
- Tools like DEEP and the GANNET can significantly reduce the time required for damage assessment and analysis.
- Ethical considerations, transparency, and responsible use are crucial for the effective integration of AI in the humanitarian sector.
- Training, capacity building, and the development of best practices and regulations are essential for the responsible use of AI.
- Partnerships with organizations that develop and use AI tools can enhance the effectiveness of emergency response efforts.
- Continuous updates and improvements to AI tools and systems are necessary to keep pace with technological advancements.
References provided during the event:
