For many people served by the humanitarian sector, 2024 has been the worst of times. Latest UN estimates The number of people forced to flee violence and disaster stands at a record 120 million, a figure that has doubled in the last decade. The sheer number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, 300 million people, has increased due to escalating violent conflict and the growing impacts of the climate crisis. Progress has also been made in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals settle or fall In more than half of the fragile countries. A child born in those countries is ten times more likely to live in poverty than a child born in a stable situation.
The unprecedented numbers reflect the need for a new humanitarian surge: one harnessing the power of technology, digital and AI. For years we have (correctly) debated the risks and benefits of AI and waited for the promised “AI for good” to arrive. In 2025, in the aid, development and humanitarian sectors, that moment may finally arrive.
When properly leveraged, AI can open new frontiers in scale, speed, reach, personalization and cost savings in human action. my organization, International Rescue Committee (IRC), and our in-house research and innovation laboratory, airbell, We are exploring applications of AI in our human programming. We are seeing solutions emerging in three critical areas – information, education and climate – each underpinned by the promise of public-private partnerships and collaboration.
For example, the first priority for refugees forced to flee conflict is timely, accurate and context-specific information about who to trust and where to find services and protection. Global Information Project, Signpost, Supported by Google.org – the charitable arm of Google – IRC, in partnership with the Cisco Foundation, Zendesk and Tech for Refugees, provides critical information to millions of displaced people through digital channels and social media, based on misinformation or misinformation. It weakens the smugglers who flourish. and saving lives on migration routes. As this work develops, Signpost is creating an “AI Prototype Lab” to de-risk and evaluate the effectiveness of generative AI for the entire humanitarian sector.
Humanitarians are also exploring the potential of generative AI to enhance and personalize education for children affected by crises – who number 224 million worldwide. A major challenge involves testing and strengthening the capacity chatgpt In local languages. For example, AI models cannot understand African languages. Lelapa AIAn African “AI research and product lab” is working to change this, developing new languages To bring AI to Africa, while OpenAI have started giving Affordable and low-cost access to ChatGPT for nonprofits.
OpenAI is also supporting development AprendAIA global, AI-powered educational chatbot platform that delivers personalized digital learning experiences at scale through messaging platforms for crisis-affected children, teachers and parents, while testing and strengthening ChatGPT's capability in local languages.
Ultimately, we are seeing the power of artificial intelligence to protect communities facing the harsh impacts of extreme weather. In partnership with NGOs, governments and the United Nations, Google has launched An AI-powered “Flood Hub”, which is currently able to forecast floods in 80 countries. Google.org in collaboration with IRC and NGOs give it straightITaking advantage of machine learning To establish forecasting systems in North-Eastern Nigeria that trigger early warning and cash transfers before catastrophic climate hazards.
Israeli scholar and historian Yuval Noah Harari artificial intelligence described As the most dangerous technology we have ever created – and possibly the most beneficial. In 2025, these benefits should reach the world's poorest people.