17 Jan 2025

A newsletter on Responsible AI and Emerging Tech for Humanitarians Evidence is the foundation for scaling innovations responsibly, particularly in the humanitarian sector where lives and livelihoods are at stake. Traditionally, humanitarian innovations are expected to follow an innovation cycle, meeting specific thresholds of evidence at every stage before being scaled.

However, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has often outpaced this traditionally cautious approach. Recent conversations highlight a concerning trend: many AI applications are deployed without sufficient evidence of their effectiveness, feasibility, or ethical implications. For instance, discussions at Wilton Park have underscored the need for robust evaluation and assurance approaches to ensure AI tools are safely developed and implemented in humanitarian contexts.

Furthermore, experts caution against the premature deployment of AI systems without adequate oversight and are warning that such practices can lead to unintended consequences, including potential harm to vulnerable populations.

This month, we explore the role of evidence in humanitarian AI: What does good evidence look like? Why does it matter? And how can we ensure AI innovations meet these thresholds before they are deployed at scale? Let’s delve into the challenges and opportunities of building an evidence-driven future for AI in the humanitarian sector.