{"id":22,"date":"2025-03-26T05:27:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T05:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/binus.ac.id\/humanitarian-ai\/?p=22"},"modified":"2025-03-26T05:32:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T05:32:30","slug":"the-role-of-ai-technology-in-humanitarian-efforts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/binus.ac.id\/humanitarian-ai\/blog\/2025\/03\/26\/the-role-of-ai-technology-in-humanitarian-efforts\/","title":{"rendered":"Opini Kompas: The Role of AI Technology in Humanitarian Efforts"},"content":{"rendered":"

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President Joko Widodo stated, \u201cThe rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this era of technological disruption is not something to be feared. Do not avoid technological change, do not be afraid of intelligent machines or AI,\u201d he said during his speech at the Open Session of IPB University in celebration of its 60th Anniversary at the IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Friday (September 15, 2023).<\/em><\/h4>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that seeks to replicate human intelligence and natural phenomena-inspired capabilities. AI’s ability to learn from large-scale big data allows it to predict, classify, and make decisions or take specific actions. This has led to the emergence of various applications, such as Midjourney for image generation, ChatGPT for creating speeches, scientific articles, lyrics, and music, as well as answering student exam questions and even generating high-quality computer code. AI technology has disrupted multiple industries, fundamentally transforming the way we learn, live, and work\u2014including within humanitarian efforts.<\/p>\n

Recently, the term Humanitarian AI<\/strong> has emerged, which I define as the application of AI to facilitate humanitarian work, such as providing information and data visualization from complex patterns and datasets that humans cannot easily identify, as well as increasing efficiency through automation.<\/p>\n

Climate Change and Prolonged Conflicts<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

According to Leila Toplic<\/strong>, leader of the NetHope technology initiative\u2014a consortium of over 60 global nonprofit and technology companies supporting humanitarian and conservation efforts\u2014nearly 80 million people were displaced due to conflicts and persecution in 2020 alone. Climate change has also severely impacted already resource-scarce regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, inequality has sharply increased across multiple dimensions, including education, gender, and economic development.<\/p>\n

Before COVID-19, 258 million children<\/strong> were out of school, and another 463 million<\/strong> lost access to education during the pandemic. Natural disasters, such as monsoons, droughts, and floods, have continued to be the primary causes of internal displacement, leading to 23.7 million new displacements in 2021<\/strong>. In Gaza, where government infrastructure has been destroyed, AI could potentially play a role in assisting refugees.<\/p>\n

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)<\/strong> reports that around 143 million people<\/strong> may be forced to leave their homes in the next 30 years due to rising sea levels, extreme heat, droughts, and other climate disasters. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East<\/strong> have also worsened global displacement, food crises, and inflation. In Indonesia, the prolonged El Ni\u00f1o drought<\/strong> has caused significant losses for farmers, impacting food supply and driving up prices.<\/p>\n

AI Solutions for Humanitarian Actions<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

The use of AI in humanitarian efforts is not new. Many humanitarian organizations are incorporating AI into their programs, leveraging advancements in Generative AI, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Geo-AI for mapping, big data, and data science<\/strong> to make informed decisions based on visual and textual information.<\/p>\n

For example, the Seguro Project<\/strong>, in partnership with Paz para las Mujeres<\/em> and Microsoft<\/strong>, uses Conversational AI to support gender-based violence victims through a chatbot solution that provides assistance and services to women facing abuse. Since 2018, Microsoft has supported 61 AI-driven humanitarian initiatives across 20 countries<\/strong>, addressing disaster response, refugee support, human rights, and protection for women and children through grants, technology donations, and data science expertise.<\/p>\n

AI is also crucial in tackling global food crises<\/strong>. Climate change is accelerating, causing environmental shifts at an unprecedented rate in human history. Solutions are emerging to address the impact of climate change and conflicts. For instance, Jay Mahanand, Chief Information Officer at the United Nations World Food Programme<\/strong>, highlights that AI and Machine Learning-enhanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)<\/strong> can help locate densely populated areas in need of food assistance.<\/p>\n

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<\/strong>, set by the United Nations, include 17 global targets<\/strong>. In Indonesia, their implementation is coordinated by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas<\/strong>), which encourages all sectors to contribute to SDG efforts. President Joko Widodo<\/strong> has emphasized the need for increased attention and assistance for vulnerable groups affected by economic slowdowns, particularly post-pandemic.<\/p>\n

AI technology can assist governments and NGOs<\/strong> in providing education, healthcare, and food security information while enabling faster decision-making in emergencies<\/strong> through data science and data visualization<\/strong>. AI-driven early warning systems<\/strong> can predict disasters before they escalate, such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires.<\/p>\n

A World Bank analysis<\/strong> on AI innovation in disaster risk management highlights AI applications in vulnerability mapping, population movement modeling, poverty level prediction, risk assessment, and damage evaluation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Recommendations for the Government<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Governments must acknowledge the rapid advancement of AI, including its benefits and potential misuse, and educate the public accordingly. To fully harness AI for humanitarian efforts, the government should:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Optimize research facilities<\/strong> and involve universities and research institutions in applying AI to humanitarian challenges. For example, AI\u2019s impact on employment remains a significant concern, which could be addressed by introducing AI-related courses across all university departments, as implemented at my institution.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Invest in AI-driven humanitarian applications<\/strong> that can be utilized by relevant ministries and NGOs. Government research and collaboration funding\u2014such as matching grant programs<\/strong>\u2014should be maximized for humanitarian initiatives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Base local and national decision-making on accurate, AI-driven data<\/strong> by adopting big data analytics, AI applications, and digital transformation<\/strong> within government agencies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    By embracing AI for humanitarian efforts, Indonesia can improve crisis response, enhance social resilience, and drive sustainable development for vulnerable communities worldwide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    References:<\/p>\n