NH0.1 | Responsible AI for natural hazards assessment and management
Responsible AI for natural hazards assessment and management
Convener: Kasra Rafiezadeh Shahi | Co-conveners: Maria Vittoria Gargiulo, Heidi Kreibich
Programme
| Wed, 30 Apr, 14:00–15:37 (CEST)
 
Room E2
Programme
Wed, 14:00
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way natural hazards are assessed and managed, providing innovative tools for early warning systems, risk assessments, and response strategies. AI-based solutions accelerate and semi-automate the processing and interpretation of (big) data for the benefit of society and the environment. However, these advancements bring ethical challenges, including the need to ensure transparency, equity, and sensitivity to local contexts and vulnerable populations.
By addressing biases, safeguarding data privacy, and upholding principles of fairness, responsible AI strengthens resilience, reduces vulnerabilities, and supports sustainable recovery efforts. For the community engaged in natural hazard research and management, AI offers transformative yet ethically complex capabilities. Given the significant impact of AI-driven decisions on people's lives, particularly in vulnerable settings, fostering dialogue on responsible and ethical AI practices is critical. The aim is to ensure that AI technologies not only enhance efficiency but also align with fundamental human values, advancing equitable and sustainable solutions. In this session, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities of responsible AI for natural hazards assessment and management from different perspectives. The session consists of a panel discussion.

Panelists are:
• Yao Sun, German Aerospace Center, Photogrammetry and Image Analysis, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
• Bruce Malamud, Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, Durham University, Durham, UK
• Jean Baptist Bove, Italian Red Cross, Italy
• Gabriella Duca, Fondazione ISSNOVA Institute for Sustainable Society and Innovation, Naples, Italy
• Juha-Pekka Jäpölä, Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Brussels, Belgium

Session assets

Session materials

Programme: Wed, 30 Apr, 14:00–15:45 | Room E2

Chairpersons: Kasra Rafiezadeh Shahi, Maria Vittoria Gargiulo, Heidi Kreibich
14:00–14:05
5-minute convener introduction
14:05–14:30
Opening statement by each panelist
14:30–15:00
Panel discussion
15:00–15:25
Opening the floor to the audience for Q&A
15:25–15:35
Closing statement by each panelist (2 minutes per panel member)
15:35–15:37
Closing remarks by the convener

Speakers

  • Yao Sun, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany
  • Bruce D. Malamud, Durham University, United Kingdom
  • Jean-Baptiste Bove, Italy
  • Gabriella Duca, Fondazione ISSNOVA Institute for Sustainable Society and Innovation, Italy
  • Juha-Pekka Jäpölä, European Commission, Belgium