As humanitarian organizations increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to prepare for crises and deliver aid more effectively, a key contribution from the Government of Luxembourg will help the International Organization for Migration (IOM) advance the responsible use of AI, enabling better-informed decisions for crisis-affected populations.
Announced today at a ceremony hosted by IOM and Luxembourg's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, the contribution will support the Catalyzing Responsible Use of AI in Humanitarian Action initiative, helping advance the safe, ethical and effective use of AI across the humanitarian sector and accelerating progress on global commitments related to AI under the Humanitarian Reset.
"AI has the potential to transform humanitarian action, helping us anticipate crises, strengthen decision-making, and reach people faster," said Ugochi Daniels, IOM's Deputy Director General for Operations. "But innovation must never come at the expense of humanitarian principles. Responsible AI requires clear standards, strong oversight, and a steadfast commitment to safeguard the rights and dignity of the people we serve."
As humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources, organizations are looking to AI to improve how they anticipate, prepare for and respond to crises. Used responsibly, AI can strengthen early warning systems, improve operational planning, and help humanitarian actors reach more people with limited resources.
As AI becomes more widely integrated into humanitarian operations, ensuring its responsible use is essential. Without appropriate safeguards, AI systems can pose significant risks, ranging from cybersecurity threats and algorithmic bias to privacy concerns and potential compromises to humanitarian principles.
As a central element of this project, IOM and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, are convening a time-bound Task Force on AI under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. The Task Force, which brings together UN agencies, NGOs, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is developing a system-wide operational framework to help humanitarian organizations use AI responsibly.
The initiative will also develop practical AI solutions to strengthen humanitarian operations. These include improving early warning systems and advanced analytics to forecast different shocks, so organizations can better anticipate and act ahead of crises.
The project will further promote greater data interoperability, enabling humanitarian organizations to share, combine, and analyze information more effectively. Better data sharing will strengthen coordination, improve operational decision-making and help organizations learn from one another's experiences.
The strategic partnership between Luxembourg and IOM also includes collaboration with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the University of Luxembourg Institute for Digital Ethics (ULIDE), and partners across the humanitarian system working towards shared objectives for responsible AI.
Luxembourg's critical investment reflects the country's leadership in digital innovation, responsible technology and multilateral cooperation. Beyond supporting AI-driven humanitarian solutions, the partnership will contribute to the broader digital transformation of the humanitarian sector.
