How do donors balance risk, responsibility, and innovation in the evolving humanitarian sector? In this episode of Humanitarian Frontiers in AI, we welcome leading voices from the donor landscape Therese Marie Uppstrøm Pankratov, Special advisor at Innovation Norway, Sian White, Director of UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub, and Zainah Alsamman, Senior Progam Manager at Grand Challenges, to discuss shifting funding priorities and the role of AI in humanitarian work. In today’s conversation, we explore the challenges and opportunities in scaling AI-driven solutions, ethical data use, and how to foster partnerships to create impact. We delve into how the humanitarian sector should approach AI and innovation and learn why reducing competition and embracing collaboration of AI technologies is essential for the humanitarian sector. We also explore the importance of capacity building and systems innovation, the appetite for risk in the sector, and the need for locally-led AI solutions. Join us to gain insights into bridging the digital divide, how humanitarian organizations fit into the AI landscape, the future of humanitarian innovation, and more. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How drastic funding cuts are reshaping the donor landscape and impacting innovation.
• Why Sian thinks it is critical to challenge the assumed benefit of AI-based solutions.
• Duplication and competition in AI technologies and the problems they create. 
• Find out why donors must rethink how they allocate resources for AI and innovation.
• Navigating the humanitarian sector's capacity to innovate with the need for innovation. 
• Learn about the challenges of scaling AI technologies and the barriers to adoption.
• The lack of investment in local AI talent and why empowering local actors is crucial.
• Explore how funders can help drive the development of responsible and ethical AI.
• Unpack how to balance the need for innovation with the risk associated with innovation.
• Data ownership and the idea of compensating affected communities for the data. 
• Discover why ethical AI development and responsible data governance are essential.
• Uncover the hurdles that evolving regulations create and the role of global policies.
• How fostering collaboration and partnerships will aid in ethical and sustainable solutions.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Therese Marie Uppstrøm Pankratov on LinkedIn

Innovation Norway

Sian White on LinkedIn

UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH)  

Zainah Alsamman on LinkedIn

Grand Challenges Canada

Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge

UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub | Directory of AI-enabled humanitarian projects

UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub | Newsletter

Humanitarian Innovation Programme: Innovation Norway

Elrha

Nasim Motalebi
Nasim Motalebi on LinkedIn
Chris Hoffman on LinkedIn