AI is mentioned as one of the outputs of Pillar 3 in the
EW4All Executive Action Plan, launched in November 2022: “Leverage artificial intelligence to support the development of 'client' profiles and scale the dissemination of action alerts." AI is also featured under Pillar 1's strategic outcome seven on Innovation for Risk Knowledge; however, developments in AI provide opportunities to transform the practice of disaster management and support the implementation of all Pillars in the Early Warning System (EWS) value chain.
For example, within the context of Disaster Risk Knowledge (EW4All Pillar 1), AI can be leveraged to contextualize disaster risk information comprehensively to facilitate well-informed and equitable decision-making. AI also holds the capability to enhance the capacity for Detection, Observations, Monitoring, Analysis, and Forecasting of Hazards (EW4All Pillar 2). Warning Dissemination and Communication (EW4All Pillar 3) will see AI optimize information delivery with personalized "client" profiles, ensuring timely, comprehensible, and actionable insights. In terms of Preparedness and Response Capabilities (EW4All Pillar 4), AI can offer new information and communication resources to help people respond to warnings.
It is essential to recognize the potential risks associated with the integration of AI in the EW4All Initiative. These risks encompass issues such as bias and fairness, privacy concerns, reliability, accountability, dependency and resilience, and the potential for unintended consequences. However, these risks can be effectively mitigated through careful design and the implementation of well-defined rules and protocols. By proactively addressing these challenges, it is possible to ensure that the benefits of AI are harnessed while upholding ethical standards and safeguarding the integrity of the EW4All Initiative.
The potential of AI to accelerate processes and solve problems is immense. The use of AI in the international community is still in development and the Secretary General of the United Nations is now convening a multi-stakeholder High-Level Advisory Body for Artificial Intelligence that will frame much of the United Nations' approach to this area of work.
Objectives of AI sub-group
The AI sub-group will specifically focus on adding structure to the application of AI to support the attainment of the EW4All Initiative objectives. The recommendations of this sub-group will be geared toward achieving the EW4All Executive Action Plan.
The key objectives of the AI sub-group are to:
- Explore opportunities and present examples across AI use cases to support the four EW4All Pillars in realizing the outcomes defined in the EW4All Action Plan.
- Cultivate partnerships and collaborate with stakeholders to identify ways to leverage AI effectively and ethically across the implementation of the initiative.
- Develop, organize, and deliver capacity development and awareness-raising sessions to showcase how AI can be harnessed to improve the capacity and effectiveness of EWS along all four Pillars.
- Organize a dedicated session on AI for EW4All during COP 28 to showcase innovative, useful, and inspirational applications of AI in EWS.
- Develop comprehensive guidelines and frameworks for the responsible and ethical integration of AI within the EW4All Initiative.
- These guidelines will ensure that AI applications prioritize privacy, transparency, fairness, and accountability, while also addressing potential biases and unintended consequences.
- The objective is to establish a clear roadmap for AI implementation that aligns with international standards and safeguards the rights and well-being of individuals and communities at risk of disasters
