Tackling the empowerment of Artificial Intelligence for humanitarian intervention from Save the Children
Veronica Scuotto, Kingsley Obi Omeihe, Valentina Cillo, Del Giudice Manlio
Abstract
The growing needs of humanitarian organisations have intensified discussions around the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance humanitarian interventions. While concerns about the costs and time required to adopt AI technologies persist, there is a strong willingness within the sector to leverage AI to become more flexible, adaptive to local conditions, and deliver assistance more efficiently and effectively. Drawing on the Knowledge-Based View (KBV), this study examines the application of AI within one of the world's largest humanitarian organisations, Save the Children. Based on a qualitative analysis conducted in 2024, several key insights emerge. First, AI has the potential to significantly empower and improve humanitarian interventions. Second, although the use of AI remains at an early stage, there is a growing commitment to integrating it across a wide range of humanitarian activities, from assisting refugees to supporting their integration into new communities. Third, individual knowledge remains critical for complementing and enhancing the capabilities of AI, particularly in developing human skills and expertise. Finally, AI acts as a facilitator, in amplifying the impact of humanitarian efforts on a global scale.