Advancing Risk Reduction with Inclusive AI Solutions

As climate risks escalate globally, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative tool in disaster risk reduction (DRR). At the GP2025, the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) will convene leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners from the Global South and North to explore AI’s role in enhancing early warning systems, risk modeling, and climate resilience.

AI has the potential to leapfrog traditional barriers, offering data-driven insights that improve forecasting and preparedness. Moreover, it opens the door for developing countries to lead progress in creating DRR tools tailored to their specific needs and contexts. However, ensuring its accessibility, governance, and ethical deployment—particularly in the Global South—remains a critical challenge. While AI-powered models can enhance disaster prediction and response, gaps in digital infrastructure, algorithmic bias, and a lack of locally relevant data often limit their effectiveness. This session will examine how AI can equitably strengthen resilience while avoiding unintended consequences that may exacerbate vulnerability.

Discussions will focus on AI’s application in risk modeling, climate migration tracking, and disaster monitoring, highlighting both opportunities and risks. Panelists will explore strategies for bridging science and practice by integrating nature-based solutions, community-led innovations, and emerging technologies into scalable DRR strategies. The session will also address AI governance, considering the role of policy frameworks, public-private partnerships, and inclusive decision-making in ensuring responsible adoption.

Featuring experts from across the world, particularly from the Global South, the session will highlight diverse perspectives on localizing AI solutions to ensure that advancements are not imposed externally but co-developed with at-risk communities. Speakers will engage in open discussions on scalability, ethical data use, and balancing technological advancement with equity. Through expert panels and audience participation, this session aims to inform actionable strategies for harnessing AI to enhance disaster resilience while prioritizing inclusivity, sustainability, and ethical governance.

Session objectives

Examine AI’s Role in Disaster Risk Reduction

Explore how AI enhances risk modelling, early warning systems, and climate resilience while addressing challenges related to algorithmic bias, data accessibility, and governance, particularly in the Global South. The discussion will highlight how AI can leapfrog traditional barriers to improve disaster preparedness in low-resource settings.

Bridge Global Innovations with Local Needs

Highlight how AI-driven solutions can be co-developed with at-risk communities, ensuring they are context-specific, ethical, and inclusive rather than externally imposed. Discussions will focus on scalable, nature-based, and community-led approaches to disaster risk reduction that integrate both cutting-edge technology and traditional knowledge.

Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration

Engage experts from policy, research, and practice to explore strategies for responsible AI governance, public-private partnerships, and equitable access to AI tools. Through panel discussions and interactive Q&A, the session will provide a platform for shaping AI-driven disaster resilience strategies that prioritize sustainability and inclusivity.