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It is widely believed that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will change the world, but how much are those innovations already contributing to improving the world? This webinar, part of an ongoing series around ICT4D, will explore how AI and machine learning tools can be applied and why they will play a key role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Hear from our expert speakers as they discuss what new machine learning applications and systems are already available and how they are (or can be) used to help reduce poverty, extend aid to remote regions, and deliver more targeted human-centric services.
Mobile phones and other ICTs for data collection are already key components in humanitarian response and international development programs. Adding algorithms and automation through machine learning and deep learning allows us to identify patterns in the data that can inform decisions and real-time analysis.
 | Dr. Patrick Meier, Founder, Co-Founder and Executive Director, WeRobotics |
 | Dr. Pablo Suarez, Associate Director for Research and Innovation, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre |
 | Aubra Anthony, Senior Data Advisor, USAID |
 | Ognen Plavevski, Architect, ICT4D, Catholic Relief Services |
Speaker Bios
Dr. Patrick Meier, Founder, Co-Founder and Executive Director, WeRobotics
?Over the past 15 years, Patrick has worked on a wide range of innovative humanitarian initiatives in the Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, India, Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Morocco, Western Sahara, Haiti, Peru and Vanuatu with multiple organizations including the United Nations, Red Cross and World Bank. He pioneered the field of Crisis Mapping at Harvard University and was amongst the first to apply artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics in the humanitarian sector. During his time at QCRI, an advanced computing research institute in Qatar, he spearheaded both the design and deployment of next generation humanitarian technologies powered by artificial intelligence, crowdsourcing, and computer vision. He co-deployed these AI solutions with international aid organizations such as UN/OCHA to help them make sense of social media, pictures, videos, aerial imagery, and text messages generated during and after major disasters. Patrick subsequently launched the global Humanitarian UAV Network to accelerate the responsible use of aerial robotics (drones) in humanitarian efforts. Most recently, he co-founded WeRobotics to scale the positive impact of humanitarian efforts by building local capacity around the use of appropriate robotics solutions. Patrick also serves as a consultant to Facebook and Planet Labs where he guides their efforts in the humanitarian space. His recent book Digital Humanitarians: How Big Data Changes the Face of Humanitarian Action has been praised by experts from UN/OCHA, UN Global Pulse, ICRC, IFRC, World Bank, USAID, DfID, NetHope, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and others. He has given over 200 talks in more than 20 countries, and his influential blog iRevolutions has received close to 2 million hits. Patrick has a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Pre-Doc from Stanford, and an MA from Columbia University. ?
Dr. Pablo Suarez, Associate Director for Research and Innovation, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
Pablo got involved with the Climate Centre as a technical adviser in 2005. He now directs its initiatives, linking applied knowledge with humanitarian work, as well as new approaches to climate risk management. Examples include participatory games for learning and dialogue, and the forecast-based financing pilots in Togo and Uganda the use forecasts of extreme events to trigger disbursement of funds for action before a disaster occurs, reducing avoidable losses. Pablo holds a first degree in water engineering, a masters in community planning and development, and a Ph.D. in geography. He has advised humanitarian and development organizations in more than 50 countries, and also researches and teaches at University of Lugano, University College London, and Boston University.
Aubra Anthony, Senior Data Advisor, USAID
Aubra is currently a Senior Data Advisor in USAIDs Center for Digital Development within the Global Development Lab. She leads research into emerging trends in digital technology and translates that research into strategic recommendations for more proactive development programming. Aubra received her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin and then served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in observational cosmology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where her tech policy interests led her to engage first through coursework and then as a Research Affiliate with the C.U. Center for Science and Technology Policy Research. She was a Hatfield Scholar with the Center for Democracy and Technology and a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow with USAIDs Center for Data, Analysis & Research.
Ognen Plavevski, Architect, ICT4D, Catholic Relief Services
Ognen Plavevski is an ICT professional specializing in ICT4D. His passion for technology is an inspiration for all ICT4D projects that he undertakes to help the most vulnerable communities in the developing world.
