How AI is Revolutionizing Disaster Response: Bridging the Gap for Vulnerable Communities

A compelling discussion with Katya Klinova

Nov 25, 2024

Katya Klinova on how AI affects disaster responses
The latest updates on AI legislation
Upcoming AI events and conferences
Before you go…check out the latest news about AI regulation

“Climate events [and] weather events that are extreme are becoming more frequent, and some of them more intense, as well. So it is becoming, every year, really more and more important to make sure that humanitarian operations are efficient and are well targeted.” — Katya Klinova

The latest episode of the RegulatingAI Podcast was recorded live at the World Summit AI.

In this compelling episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming disaster response efforts, especially for vulnerable communities impacted by crises. Join us as we discuss innovative strategies that leverage AI to enhance humanitarian action and build more resilient systems.

Our special guest, Katya Klinova, Head of AI and Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action at the United Nations Secretary-General's Innovation Lab, shares invaluable insights into the role of AI in disaster management and its potential to bridge critical gaps in support for those most in need.

Tune in to hear this conversation between Klinova and our host, Dr. Sanjay Puri, and keep reading for a summary!

In this episode:

What is the U.N. Innovation Lab, and what is your role there? “ Our core work on AI right now is focused on an initiative called DISHA [Data Insights for Social & Humanitarian Action], which is a coalition effort which brings together humanitarian and development partners, data technology providers, philanthropists, [and] academics to responsibly use AI for humanitarian and development needs at scale,” said Klinova.
- Humanitarian and development agencies are their co-designers, helping ensure whatever the lab creates is needed in the field and is developed and deployed in a sensitive manner.
- Technology providers bring cutting-edge AI expertise to the mix.
How has DISHA played a role in responding to natural disasters? “As you know, climate events [and] weather events that are extreme are becoming more frequent, and some of them more intense, as well,” Klinova said. “ So it is becoming every year, really more and more important to make sure that humanitarian operations are efficient and are well targeted.”
- AI allows you analyze data in near real-time that humans on cannot necessarily process as fast. An example: They created a product that helps human analysts analyze damage to buildings and infrastructure on satellite images faster following a disaster.
- “This is a great use case for AI, but also a complex use case, because building damage looks different in different places around the world, depending on the type of a disaster,” noted Klinova. This is sophisticated technology that they were able use, and they rigorously tested it.
- Initial results show that this tool helps speed up post-disaster analysis by 6x.
What do you see AI's role is in terms of some environmental climate change issues? “We shouldn't just expect that AI is just going to come and address it, right? These are complicated societal problems,” said Klinova. But she believes that AI can help, if it’s used correctly and wisely. There are other complementary efforts going on too, like weather modeling for early warning systems.
Is DISHA involved in other work? “Outside of working with satellite imagery, we also work with so-called digital trace data, mobile phone data. As mobile phone penetration grows around the world, it becomes a very valuable source of data to understand how are people moving following a disaster,” said Klinova. She noted that you don’t only want to send help to the hardest-hit areas after a disaster; in areas that were spared, people might be moving there, and you need to be able to see those patterns and send aid accordingly.
DISHA has been around only a couple of years. But, she said, “Nothing about the DISHA model is limited to just natural disasters.” She encourages interested potential partners to reach out. With additional partners, they can use it for different sustainability development goals (SDGs) and other humanitarian and development needs.
From the U.N. perspective: Are we making sure that the Global South (and other areas) is coming along with the rest of the world? “This is maybe the defining question of our time,” said Klinova.
- She pointed out that although lots of AI is broadly beneficial, many great use cases of AI would be most beneficial to the poorest and most vulnerable in the world, and the private market just won’t serve that population. “And so we need concerted effort from international organizations, from philanthropies, from private partners, contributing to that in a deliberate way to make sure that these latter type of use cases do indeed take place,” Klinova said.
What is the role of multilateral organizations in terms of AI? Helping public/private partnerships to channel AI capacities towards humanitarian needs. “Someone needs to be closing this gap, so we are trying to play that role with DISHA, but also bringing humanitarians to the table, into the conversation, and into the process of co-creating this technology,” Klinova said.
- “That's not something you can do just out of Silicon Valley or, you know, Amsterdam, London, [or] other places,” she added.
Do you think there is a role for some public/private partnerships with your lab? Yes. “We are, at all times, looking to partner with data providers who can contribute the kind of data that helps humanitarians understand the situation on the ground following a disaster,” she said.

Hear the entirety of Katya Klinova’s conversation with Sanjay Puri on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to the RegulatingAI podcast to never miss an episode.

The latest AI legislation

H.R.9459, Washington, D.C. Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act. Requires the Department of Homeland Security to notify Congress of all uses or extensions of transaction authority involving AI technology; amends Section 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, related to DHS and other transaction agreements. Status: Passed House, to Senate.
H.R.9671, Washington, D.C. Department of Energy Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024. Offers direction and funding for the research and development efforts related to AI initiatives within the Department of Energy; authorizes AI training and partnerships with non-profits and private companies to advance AI innovation within the DOE. Status: Introduced.
H.R.9673, Washington, D.C. Consumers LEARN AI Act. Directs the Department of Commerce to develop a strategy to improve AI literacy, including case-specific guidance for AI-related tasks, and launch a national media campaign to promote safe AI usage. Status: Introduced.

Check out our live AI legislation tracker

Upcoming AI events

AI Innovation Asia 2024

Pan Pacific Singapore | Nov 28, 2024 | In-person

Join 300 peers in Singapore for a day of knowledge and networking. Challenge the discourse around AI with those at its frontier. Bringing the unique perspective of The Economist to life, together we will unpack the intricacies of AI implementation in your business to equip you to profit and prosper.

4ᵗʰ International Conference on AI ML, Data Science and Robotics

Porto, Portugal | Nov 28-29, 2024 | Online/In-person

AI ML, Data Science, and Robotics 2024 anticipates more than 50 participants around the globe with thought provoking Keynote lectures, Oral and Poster presentations. This is an excellent opportunity for the delegates from Universities and Institutes to interact with the world class Data Scientists & Engineers, Business Strategist’s, Robotics Engineers, Machine Learning Engineers, Professors, Artificial Intelligence Engineers, Software Developers, Cognitive Automation Consultants, Computational Neuroscientists, CEOS, CTOS, CIOs and Researchers.

Taking the Lead with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

San Franciso, California | Dec 2-3, 2024 | Online/In-person

Understand how you can influence AI strategy in your organization, seize opportunities, and avoid risks that can come with AI adoption.

In this course, you will learn the keys to successfully integrating AI into your business and explore ways others are successfully building, scaling, and refining what they’re doing with AI to maximize business results.

You’ll also discover tools for accelerating your organization’s plan to improve enterprise outcomes and weigh appropriate strategies while you factor in potential benefits and constraints. In addition, gain insight into what will be needed when creating an AI implementation road map for an optimal solution.

Bookmark this page to keep track of key upcoming AI events

Before you go…

AI harm is often behind the scenes and builds over time | The Conversation
Navigating privacy, regulation, and the political divide in AI healthcare | GlobalData
Musk is AI policy's giant question mark | Axios
With Musk in tow, Trump eyes changes to government policies on AI and its dangers | CNN
How AI regulation in California, Colorado and beyond could threaten U.S. tech dominance | CNBC
The regulatory challenges of AI in finance | Knowledge at Wharton
Global AI regulations: Beyond the U.S. and Europe | CIO
Next Move special edition: EU AI Act | PWC
Exploring AI in healthcare: Legal, regulatory, and safety challenges | Stanford Law