In a new article published by the International Review of the Red Cross (Cambridge University Press), Dr Ana Beduschi investigates the opportunities and risks of using AI in humanitarian action. Data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are progressively transforming the humanitarian field, but these technologies bring about significant risks for the protection of vulnerable individuals and populations in situations of conflict and crisis. Ana examines whether and under what circumstances AI can be safely deployed to support the work of humanitarian actors in the field. Ana argues that AI has the potential to support humanitarian actors as they implement a paradigm shift from reactive to anticipatory approaches to humanitarian action. However, she recommends that the existing risks, including those relating to algorithmic bias and data privacy concerns, must be addressed as a priority if AI is to be put at the service of humanitarian action and not to be deployed at the expense of humanitarianism.
Full article can be accessed here.