Humanitarian groups are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to make aid work faster, safer, and more effective. From remote-controlled trucks delivering supplies in dangerous areas to AI tracking population movements during disasters, the technology is opening new ways to help people in need.
While experts have raised concerns about AI, including data security and the spread of false information, aid organisations are also seeing its many benefits.
At the AI for Good Summit in Geneva this week, several humanitarian organisations showcased AI-powered projects designed to improve emergency response.
One of the highlights was the Sherp, a large amphibious vehicle made in Ukraine. The vehicle can travel across water, swamps, flooded rivers, and rough terrain. It is equipped with cameras, sensors, and a drone landing pad.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) plans to test an AI-enabled version of the Sherp that can be controlled remotely. The goal is to deliver food and other essential supplies to people living in dangerous or hard-to-reach areas.
Bernhard Kowatsch, head of WFP's innovation division, said the technology could be a major breakthrough because it would allow aid workers to reach communities that were previously inaccessible.
The WFP already uses Sherp vehicles in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda. However, after losing several drivers during dangerous missions, the organisation partnered with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) to develop a remote-controlled version using AI.
Under the plan, operators will control the vehicle from a safe location using a shipping container converted into a control room. Initial tests have been carried out in Germany, while field trials are expected to begin in Uganda in 2028.
DLR project coordinator Armin Wedler said AI is essential for processing large amounts of information during these missions. However, he stressed that a human operator will always remain in control because humanitarian situations are too complex for fully autonomous vehicles.
He explained that aid trucks often travel through areas without proper roads and may suddenly be surrounded by large crowds of people seeking help. In such situations, human judgement is still necessary.
Other AI projects at the summit focused on improving humanitarian services. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) introduced a Legal Virtual AI Assistant that helps lawyers quickly identify the legal rights available to refugees in different countries. The agency said the tool could save valuable time and even help save lives.
Another initiative, called Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action (DISHA), works with partners including Google and McKinsey to provide AI tools and data for disaster response.
One DISHA project analyses anonymous mobile phone data to identify where people are moving during emergencies, helping aid organisations send assistance to the right places.
Another project uses AI to compare satellite images taken before and after natural disasters, such as the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, to quickly identify damaged buildings.
According to DISHA officials, these AI tools help humanitarian organisations make faster and more informed decisions, ensuring aid reaches the people who need it most.
