A newsletter on Responsible AI and Emerging Tech for Humanitarians 

As we wrap up a tumultuous 2025, the humanitarian sector is taking stock in a world marked by escalating conflict, protracted displacement crises, and climate-driven disasters. From Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and beyond, communities have faced immense loss. Meanwhile humanitarian workers have continued to operate under growing insecurity, life threatening conditions, and political pressure. Despite this increased need, humanitarian funding in 2025 has been lower than any other year in the past decade (Global Humanitarian Overview, 2025). 

“For millions of people, 2025 was the year that the last lifeline available to them was snapped: health centres closed, food rations cut, nutrition outreach halted, protection services ceased, cash payments stopped, water deliveries ended, and shelters went unrepaired.” (Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator) 

At the same time, the year has also shown moments of resilience and innovation with new partnerships (e.g. GiveDirectly and Google), locally led responses (signpost AI), and cautious experimentation with technology (WFP) offering glimpses of what more effective assistance could look like. 

Throughout 2025, AI has both supported and challenged the sector. We have seen improved early warning [1], health access [2], funding allocation [3] and crisis communications [4]. However, questions remain around bias, trust, accountability, and digital exclusion.  

In this year-end roundup, we are highlighting our top 3 editor’s picks, case studies, tools, trainings and podcasts that we’ve shared over the year. These include a range of initiatives supported by Elrha and UKHIH, through both direct funding and collaborative partnership.  

We are also joined by Brent Phillips, Host of Humanitarian AI Today, who shares his reflections on the trends, opportunities and lessons he has observed across the sector.  

As we set our sights to the future, we hope 2026 will bring greater safety and peace to all those affected by crisis around the globe.  

The Humanitarian AI Unpacked team 

Opinion Piece | Inside a Year of Transition for Humanitarian AI 

By Brent Phillips, Host of the Humanitarian AI Today podcast

A decade ago, the idea of “humanitarian AI” barely existed as a field. Today, it sits at the centre of some of the most ambitious (and contested) debates about how technology should support people affected by crisis. This month we have invited Brent Phillips, Founder and Host of the Humanitarian AI Today Podcast, to reflect on what 2025 has revealed about humanitarian AI. Brent’s insights are informed by the hundreds of conversations he has had with practitioners, researchers, technologists, and aid leaders from across the world. 

Brent argues that while innovation has accelerated, the sector is also facing a quieter and more uncomfortable reality: a “humanitarian AI winter”. Shrinking aid budgets have led to paused pilots and a widening gap between experimental AI tools and what organisations can sustainably deploy. Funding cuts have also scaled back AI research and development and are further limiting access to technical talent at a time when it is most needed. 

At the same time, important capabilities have already been built and organisations such as the International Rescue Committee and Data Friendly Space are continuing to pioneer practical, mission-driven uses of AI.  

Reflecting on approaches at the “nexus of AI and mission”, Brent highlights open data sharing, a principle championed by the sector, even if not always consistently. He also predicts a proliferation of AI agents, which could see NGOs "handing off tasks and sharing information" more efficiently. 

Brent urges the sector to continue collaboration especially during the funding crises and is encouraged by the willingness of humanitarian agencies to adopt a startup mentality and to “dive into the technical and engineering challenges that will shape the next wave of humanitarian innovation.” 

In the full piece, Brent reflects on what surprised him most in 2025, what gives him cautious optimism for the year ahead, which technologies have been particularly promising and where humanitarian actors must focus next. 

The top 3 editor’s picks 

Curated reads and resources our team found especially insightful this year. 

What is model drift? The hidden AI risk that could undermine crisis response. This opinion piece by Anisa Abeytia in the New Humanitarian, warns that subtle changes in how AI models respond (“model drift”) can shift narratives and biases in ways that undermine reliable information and decision-making in humanitarian crises.  

The clock is ticking to build minimum guardrails into Humanitarian AI. In this article, Sarah W. Spencer, AI consultant, and Helen McElhinney, Executive Director of the CDAC Network discuss AI solutions and their quiet risks when woven into the fabric of humanitarian response.   

AI and the Global South. CARE International published critical research on the role of Global South Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in AI. It amplifies Global South voices and explores pathways for more inclusive and participatory artificial intelligence through its lifecycle and across AI governance. 

The top 3 Case Studies 

How AI is helping humanitarian actors predict and prepare for Crises (DRC): the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) developed four AI-powered forecast models that analyse data from over 120 indicators to predict displacement which enable humanitarian actors to better prepare for and respond to crises.
📖 Read full Case Study

Mapping Vulnerable Populations with AI (ICRC): ICRC developed an AI model that generates fine-grained population maps down to 100x100 metres. Using open-source geospatial data (such as OpenStreetMap), building data, road proximity, and other indicators, the tool estimates population size and density, even in data-scarce environments.
📖 Read full Case Study

Safe generative AI chatbots (Mercy Corps): Recognising the inevitability of AI adoption, Mercy Corp built two in-house generative AI chatbots to provide a safe and ethical alternative to publicly available AI tools such as ChatGPT.
📖 Read full Case Study

The top 3 spotlights 

1. The AI Lighthouse – The guide to responsible AI for nonprofits: a dynamic new resource hub designed for nonprofits looking to implement AI. NetHope’s AI Lighthouse offers curated tools, case studies, and frameworks grounded in ethical best practices. 

2. The Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory by UNESCO offers AI principles, information and knowledge alongside Country Profiles that provide a snapshot of a country’s readiness to adopt AI ethically and responsibly including country-specific insights, regulatory developments, and best practices.    

3. The Safe AI Project by CDAC et al. project focuses on creating clear governance guidelines, building tools to verify AI trustworthiness, ensuring affected communities have a meaningful voice, and working directly with humanitarian organisations to build solutions that address their actual needs. 

The top 3 trainings  

Short, practical learning picks for practitioners - no tech background needed.  

Nesta at al’s Community Crisis Intelligence (free, online) - Tools and practices that combine data from affected communities and responders with AI for more effective crisis mitigation, response or recovery. 

NetHope’s Fundamentals of AI for Nonprofits, (free, online) targeted at busy humanitarian professionals this course enables an understanding of basic AI concepts, how to evaluate their relevance, and practical applications that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency 

UCL et al’s Designing and Deploying AI Tools to Support Humanitarian Practice (free) - A guide designed for humanitarian professionals who want to integrate AI into their work responsibly and effectively.   

The top 3 podcasts

Voices from the sector on emerging tech deployment in humanitarian response.

Assessing evidence on AI use cases and their impact on Humanitarian Action: This episode of Humanitarian AI Today explores the challenges, opportunities, and the evidence about the acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness, value for money impact, and the transferability of AI solutions across contexts. Run time: ~60 mins / Listen now

Foundational Impact: Conversation with Suzy Madigan. In this episode of Foundational Impact, Suzy Madigan, Responsible AI Lead at Care International, discusses the urgent need for greater representation of Global South civil society in AI decision-making. Run time: ~30 mins / Listen now

Humanitarian Principles in Discussion: This episode of Humanitarian AI Today explores how we can ensure AI development aligns with the humanitarian principles at the heart of our work. Run time: ~60 mins / Listen now

Stay ahead of funding calls and events.

Help NetHope shape the future AI Lighthouse. Earlier this year, NetHope launched the NetHope AI Lighthouse, an initiative designed to help non-profits responsibly adopt AI. The next phase will be a founding and learning stage, designed to test options and generate sector-wide insights. If you would like to be invited to a one-hour virtual sessions in early January to shape the future of the AI Lighthouse, please email nethopecdn@nethope.org.

Making Humanitarian Data AI‑Ready: Inside UN OCHA’s New Guidance Project
When: 22 December, 14:00 to 15:00 GMT, online

This two-part discussion series will explore how to make humanitarian spreadsheets more “AI-ready,” bringing together UN OCHA’s new guidance project with real-world lessons from recent AI spreadsheet extraction experiments. 
More info

AI and climate change: Balancing innovation and sustainability.
When: 23 December, 16:00 – 16:20 CET, online

This is a replay of the session that took place on the Centre Stage during the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland from 8 to 11 July, 2025. The speaker will discuss how to harness AI’s immense potential for helping fight the climate crisis while keeping its environmental impacts in mind. 
More info

DRK Foundation – Early-Stage Social Impact Funding
Deadline: rolling

Provides up to $300,000 in unrestricted grants to early stage organisations addressing an urgent or critical social or environmental problem in an innovative fashion and in a way that
directly benefits underserved populations. 
More info

Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity
Deadline: rolling

The US $1,000,000 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity is a global humanitarian award. Its mission is to recognise and support those who risk their own lives to save the lives of others suffering due to violent conflict or atrocity crimes. 
More info

PACE Project Call for Proposals Launched!
Deadline: 16 January 2026

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the PACE Project Call for Proposals to support earthquake recovery and long-term resilience in Türkiye which can include technological solution. Grants range from EUR 50k – 200k.  
More info

The $3 Million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize
Deadline: 2027 Prize: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

Every year, the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize honours a non-profit leading efforts to alleviate human suffering. At $3 million, the Prize is the world’s largest annual humanitarian award presented to nonprofit organizations. 
More info

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles featured in this newsletter are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the official stance of the editorial team, any affiliated organisations or donors.