Nuha Najibah

Like many powerful tools, artificial intelligence (AI) has both positive and negative applications. It is important to emphasize AI's amazing potential for positive impact, especially in humanitarian efforts, even though discussions frequently center on its possible drawbacks. AI is being used more and more in healthcare, education, and disaster relief to assist those in need, improving the efficiency and compassion of our world.

Disaster response and relief is one of the most direct and significant applications of AI in humanitarian work. Time is of the essence when a natural disaster occurs, whether it be a hurricane, flood, or earthquake. AI can swiftly identify impacted areas, evaluate damage, and determine where assistance is most urgently needed by processing enormous volumes of data from sensor networks, social media, and satellite imagery. AI-powered image analysis, for instance, can quickly map damaged infrastructure, assisting relief organizations in more efficiently allocating resources. Additionally, without overtaxing human operators, chatbots can connect people with support services, respond to commonly asked questions, and give critical information to impacted populations.

Beyond current emergencies, AI is revolutionizing global health programs. AI can help diagnose illnesses in areas with limited access to medical professionals, frequently more accurately than human doctors, particularly for diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, or some types of cancer. In order to spot trends and anticipate disease outbreaks, AI algorithms can examine patient data, medical images, and even genetic information. Humanitarian organizations can plan ahead and allocate resources thanks to this predictive capability before an epidemic gets out of control. AI is also being used to speed up the development of new medications and vaccines, which will help combat deadly diseases that disproportionately impact vulnerable groups.

AI is also having a big impact on expanding access to education. Children in remote or conflict-affected areas may not be able to attend traditional schools. Learning platforms with AI capabilities can offer tailored instructional materials that adjust to the learning preferences and speed of each individual student. These platforms enable teachers—even those who work remotely—to give focused support by providing lessons in multiple languages, tracking progress, and even identifying learning difficulties. This fills in the gaps in education and equips people with the information and abilities they need to create a better future.

AI is also proving to be very helpful in improving logistics and resource allocation for humanitarian assistance. It is a difficult task to deliver aid to isolated or conflict-affected areas. To design the most effective delivery routes, AI can examine variables like population density, road conditions, security threats, and available resources. This minimizes waste and maximizes impact while also ensuring that aid reaches the right people at the right time, saving time and money. AI's capacity to forecast demand and control inventory makes supply chain management—which is frequently a logistical nightmare in humanitarian operations—much more efficient.

Lastly, AI can be extremely helpful in detecting and resolving violations of human rights. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can assist in spotting trends of violence, forced relocation, or other human rights abuses by examining satellite imagery, social media posts, and news reports. After that, this information can be used to notify foreign authorities, start inquiries, and promote safety precautions. AI has enormous potential to serve as a watchdog against injustice, even though ethical issues are crucial in such delicate applications.

In conclusion, there is no denying AI's potential for good in humanitarian contexts, even though its ethical application and possible hazards must always be carefully evaluated. AI is a potent ally in the continuous endeavor to build a more equitable and compassionate world, from enhancing health, education, and aid delivery to saving lives in disasters. We can reach the people who need our assistance the most and increase our impact by responsibly utilizing its capabilities.

The writer is B.Sc. student in the department of CSE at Independent University, Bangladesh.She can reached at email nuhaamerica2001@gmail.com