Policymakers, disaster managers and scientists who are aware of emergency disaster risks and seek to understand climate volatility are increasingly interested in the deployment of AI and are interested in increasing capacity. An enhanced approach to AI tools and AI is applied to improve hazard modeling and disaster risk modeling, enhance predictive analytics and forecasting, enhance and calibrate risk communication, and optimize resource allocation for predictive action or disaster response.
At the same time, new applications of AI have been tested and promoted, so there is a need to critically distinguish between the approach. It is to acknowledge that all use of AI is not equally useful or will not change the game, unlocking the potential risks, uncertainties and ethical issues associated with certain AI-driven efforts. How is AI properly vetted and carefully applied to help change the work of disaster risk analysis and consider the myriad chronic issues that shape the field of disaster management?
This panel discussion brings together research, policy and practice experts to highlight innovative approaches, opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving space to explore the intersection of AI and disaster risk. First, speakers will discuss cutting edge applications of AI/ML applications in disaster science and humanitarian action – sharing technical examples of cutting-edge AI approaches for various hazard types, such as floods, landslides, wildfires and more.
This event was made possible with the support of the Australian Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DFAT). Margaret A. Cargill's Charity (MACP).
Featured speakers
Kevin WhiteSenior Director of Microsoft's Good Lab for Good Lab
Kevin White is Senior Director of Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, developing innovative solutions that press on social challenges. Working with global experts, Kevin focuses on information integrity, sustainability, and humanitarian disaster response and resilience initiatives.
Beth TermanAssistant Professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison University. Co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Floodbase
Dr. Beth Thelman is the chief scientist and co-founder of Flood Base, overseeing science teams to map flood exposure, risk and social vulnerability. She has been passionate about reducing flood vulnerability in vulnerable communities since working on flood relief and resilience efforts in El Salvador from 2009 to 2012, and is engaged in a wide range of fields and methods. Beth is a former Fulbright Fellow and a graduate of the National Science Foundation and received his PhD in Geographical Science from Arizona State University in 2019.
Pukal Amatyaassistant research scientist at the University of Maryland. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Dr. Pukar Amatya is an associate researcher at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, currently based at the Institute of Hydrologies at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. As a member of the NASA Landslide Team, Dr. Amatya's primary responsibility is to develop an automated landslide detection algorithm. He led the development of a semi-automatic landslide detection (salad) system widely used to generate landslide inventory that supports rapid response and landslide modeling activities at NASA.
Dan Hammerco-founder and chief technology officer, LGND and CLAY. Co-founder, ODE
Dr. Dan Hammer is the co-founder of LGND, a venture-backed startup building AI infrastructure for Earth observation data, and co-founder of ODE, an environmental application design and technology agency. He is a National Geographic Explorer and has earned the first Pretzker Environmental Genius Award and the Mark Bingham Award in Berkeley, California. Dan has a PhD. MS in Berkeley, California.
Moderated by
Rachel LauLoomis Council Member of Stimson Centre
Dr. Rachel Lau is an engineer and researcher specializing in geographical information, disaster risks, and applied AI. She advised on the infrastructure risks of USAID, consulted on US state government disaster modeling, and was recently selected as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow for AI. Rau also leads Kathmandu Dio Lab, an initiative she set up to advance early warnings of hazards through interdisciplinary research and community involvement in Nepal. She holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Duke University.
Austin RoadSenior Fellow, Energy, Water, Sustainability Program, Stimson Center
Dr. Austin Road is a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, and his research explores issues relating to disaster and climate risk management, water and energy policy, infrastructure development and environmental governance. The Lord is currently leading Stimson's work in the Himalayas, focusing on developing monitoring and early warning systems for hazards and extreme flow events. He holds Cornell's PhD in Anthropology and Yale's MS in Environmental Science.
