The Humanitarian Sector’s New Frontier: Harnessing the Power of AI
The Unprecedented Crisis
For many of the people served by the humanitarian sector, 2024 has been the worst of times. The most recent UN estimates of those forced to flee violence and disaster is a record of 120 million, a figure that has doubled in the past decade. The broader figure of those in humanitarian need, 300 million people, has been swelled by increasingly violent conflict and growing impacts of the climate crisis. Progress in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals has also been either stagnating or declining in more than half of fragile countries. A child born in those countries has a tenfold greater chance of being in poverty than one born in a stable state.
The Need for a New Humanitarian Surge
The unprecedented numbers show the need for a new humanitarian surge: a technological one, harnessing the power of the digital and AI. For years, we’ve debated the risks and benefits of AI and waited for the promise of “AI for Good” to arrive. In 2025, across the aid, development, and humanitarian sector, that moment may finally be at hand.
Unlocking the Power of AI
When properly leveraged, AI can open up new frontiers in humanitarian action—in scale, speed, reach, personalization, and cost savings. My organization, International Rescue Committee (IRC), and our in-house research and innovation lab, Airbel, are exploring applications of AI in our humanitarian programming. We’re seeing solutions emerging in three critical areas—information, education, and climate—each bolstered by promising public-private partnerships and collaboration.
Information
For instance, for refugees forced to flee from conflict, the first priority is timely, accurate, and context-specific information about who to trust, and where to find services and safety. The global information project, Signpost, supported by Google.org—in partnership with IRC, Cisco Foundation, Zendesk, and Tech for Refugees—delivers critical information to millions of displaced people through digital channels and social media, disempowering smugglers who thrive on mis- or disinformation, and saving lives along migration routes. As this work evolves, Signpost is creating an “AI prototyping lab” to de-risk and evaluate the effectiveness of Generative AI for the entire humanitarian sector.
Education
Humanitarians are also exploring the potential of Generative AI to enhance and personalize education for children affected by crises—of whom there are 224 million worldwide. A huge challenge involves testing and strengthening the potential of ChatGPT in local languages. Lelapa AI, an African “AI research and product lab,” is working to change that, developing new languages to bring AI to Africa, while OpenAI has begun to offer low and reduced cost access to ChatGPT for nonprofits.
Climate
Finally, we are seeing the power of artificial intelligence scaled to protect communities facing the harsh impacts of extreme weather. In partnership with NGOs, governments, and the UN, Google has launched an AI-powered “Flood Hub,” which is currently able to forecast flooding in 80 countries. Google.org, together with IRC and the NGO GiveDirectly, is leveraging machine learning in Northeast Nigeria to establish forecasting systems that trigger early warnings and cash transfers ahead of devastating climate hazards.
Conclusion
As Israeli scholar and historian Yuval Noah Harari described artificial intelligence as the most dangerous technology we have ever created—and potentially the most beneficial. In 2025, those benefits must accrue to the poorest in the world.
FAQs
Q: What is the current humanitarian crisis?
A: The current humanitarian crisis is characterized by a record 120 million people forced to flee violence and disaster, with 300 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
Q: What is the potential of AI in humanitarian aid?
A: AI can open up new frontiers in humanitarian action—in scale, speed, reach, personalization, and cost savings.
Q: What are some examples of AI applications in humanitarian aid?
A: Examples include the use of AI for information, education, and climate response, such as the Signpost project, Lelapa AI, and Google’s Flood Hub.
Q: Is AI a threat or a benefit?
A: According to Israeli scholar and historian Yuval Noah Harari, AI is both the most dangerous technology we have ever created—and potentially the most beneficial. In 2025, those benefits must accrue to the poorest in the world.
