Using AI Technology for Humanity

The government needs to be aware of the rapid growth of AI technology with all its advantages and potential for misuse in society.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Menggunakan Teknologi AI bagi Kemanusiaan

HERYUNANTO

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"Rapidly developing artificial intelligence in the era of technological disruption is not something to be feared. Do not avoid technological changes, do not fear intelligent machines or AI," said President Joko Widodo in his speech at the IPB University Open Session, on the IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Friday (15/9/2023)."

Artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence/AI) is a part of computer science that attempts to imitate human intelligence and various phenomena which is inspired by nature. AI's ability to learn from large-scale data (big data) enables it to predict, classify and take certain decisions or actions and produce various applications.

The application, among others, is Midjourney which is capable of creating new images. Another example is ChatGPT which can generate speeches, scientific articles, lyrics and music, as well as answering student exam questions. It can even create computer program codes excellently.

The ability of AI technology has caused technological disruption in various fields. AI fundamentally changes the world today. It cannot be denied that it improves the way we learn and live and work, including in humanitarian activities.

The ability of AI technology has caused technological disruptions in various fields. AI fundamentally changes the world today.

Recently, there has been the term humanitarian AI. This can be defined as various applications of AI to facilitate work that is utilized in various humanitarian actions. For example, providing information and data visualization of complex patterns and datasets that humans cannot identify. In addition, increasing work efficiency through automation.

One illustration related to this matter is provided by NetHope, a consortium of over 60 global nonprofit and technology companies to support humanitarian and conservation efforts. Leila Toplic, leader of NetHope's initiative, informed that in 2020 alone, nearly 80 million people were displaced due to conflict and persecution. Climate change also has a significant impact on regions that are already lacking in resources, such as Sub-Saharan Africa.

At the same time, the gap is sharply increasing in various dimensions, including education, gender, and economic development. It is estimated that 258 million children dropped out of school prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and 463 million children have been disconnected from education during the pandemic.

Despite the increase in displacement due to conflicts and natural disasters, such as monsoon winds, droughts, and floods, continue to be the main causes of new internal displacement. This has led to 23.7 million similar movements in 2021. Refugees in Gaza, whose government infrastructure is completely destroyed, are also a complex issue. These are just some of the humanitarian challenges we face.

Translation: The government cross-panel report on Climate Change (IPCC), a unit assigned by the UN to assess climate change science related to the UN, mentions that about 143 million people are likely to leave their homes over the next 30 years. This is due to the rising sea level, extreme heat waves, as well as droughts and other climate-related disasters.

The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have also increased the flow of refugees, food crisis, and global inflation. In Indonesia, the El Nino-induced drought that has lasted for months has caused significant losses to farmers. This condition also affects food stocks and price increases.

AI Solutions

The use of AI technology in humanitarian actions is not new. Therefore, it is not surprising that the utilization of AI and its impact on humanity has become an important topic of discussion. This is in line with the efforts of humanitarian organizations to incorporate AI into their humanitarian programs.

Moreover, the rapid progress of AI, such as generative AI, deep learning,natural language processing (NLP), geo-AI for mapping, big data science, and data science , makes it easier for us to make decisions based on the visual and text information presented.

For example, the Seguro Project has partnered with Paz para las Mujeres and Microsoft to use Conversational AI technology to support victims of gender-based violence. This technology provides a chatbot-based solution to provide support and services for women facing violence.

Since 2018, Microsoft has supported the application of 61 AI in humanitarian actions in 20 countries, including AI being used in efforts to overcome disasters and address refugee and human rights issues. In addition, AI is also used to respond to the protection needs of women and children through grants, technology donations, and data science support.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the utilization of AI and its impact on humanity has become an important topic of discussion.

The implementation of AI is also very useful for tackling the global food crisis caused by climate change. Solutions related to the impacts of climate change and conflicts have been widely attempted.

This, among others, was emphasized by Jay Mahanand, Chief Information Officer at the United Nations World Food Program. He said that the application of a geographic information system with the support of AI and machine learning is useful for providing information on the location of densely populated areas that need food assistance.

Support SDGs

Seeing the breadth of functions and reach of this technology, AI can be used to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Indonesia, efforts to achieve the SDGs are coordinated by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas invites all parties to actively participate in voicing and making efforts to achieve the SDGs.

President Jokowi even considers it necessary to increase attention and assistance to vulnerable groups due to the slowdown in economic activity. According to him, all layers of society are affected by the pandemic, especially vulnerable groups.

AI technology can help governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provide information about education, health or food. Apart from that, AI also helps in making decisions and acting more quickly in emergencies, armed with data science and data visualization.

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The AI-developed detection system can predict emergency situations before they spread by issuing early warnings, such as in the case of floods, earthquakes, and fires.

An analysis conducted by the World Bank regarding the innovation of AI in disaster risk management highlights that AI is used for several tasks, including vulnerability mapping, population movement modeling, poverty level prediction, risk prediction, and supporting damage assessment.

The government needs to be aware of the rapid advancement of AI technology, along with its advantages as well as potential for abuse, and then inform the public about it. The government needs to optimize all research facilities, involve universities and research institutions to be able to apply AI in various efforts to address humanitarian issues.

There are still many questions regarding the impact of AI on employment. In relation to this, it may be necessary to provide an understanding of AI technology in the form of courses in all majors.

The government also needs to be serious and innovative in realizing various AI applications that can produce humanitarian actions that can be used by related ministries and NGOs. A large amount of funds used for research and collaboration must be ensured to be optimal and able to be used for humanitarian actions.

Decision-making models by regional and central governments need to be based on valid and accurate data, based on data science and big data. Apart from that, it is also necessary to develop various AI-based applications and digital transformation in government institutions.

Also read: The World Collaborates to Regulate Artificial Intelligence

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Widodo Budiharto

Widodo BudihartoFounder of the Center of Excellence (CoE) Humanitarian AI and Technology, BINUS University