How AI Can Boost Disaster Response and Recovery

Artificial intelligence enables rapid analysis of satellite images to assess damage and priority areas. Building disaster-resistant cities is an important element in achieving the sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations. Data collected by the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance and the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters for natural disasters across occurrences shows the number of disasters across the globe has risen by 74.5%, comparing data from 1980–1999 with 2000–2019. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that the average global temperature has risen 0.85 degrees from 1880 to 2012 and is projected to rise further, affecting human society and the ecosystems. Remote sensing technology using satellite images is now being used to investigate post-disaster situations, and to formulate reconstruction plans.