UAE hosts dialogue on AI's role in anticipatory humanitarian action

UAE will host an international dialogue Tuesday on using artificial intelligence and predictive technologies to strengthen anticipatory humanitarian action.

The event, organized by the Office of Development Affairs at the Presidential Court, will take place at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

What is anticipatory humanitarian action and how does AI support it?

Anticipatory humanitarian action means taking early, evidence-based steps before a crisis fully develops rather than responding after the fact. AI and predictive analytics help humanitarian organizations identify warning signs earlier, allocate resources more efficiently and intervene before conditions worsen. The approach aims to reduce both human suffering and the cost of response.

What will the Abu Dhabi dialogue cover?

The session will bring together international experts in humanitarian affairs and artificial intelligence to examine how predictive analytics can help organizations move from risk forecasting to practical intervention. Organizers said discussions will span strategic, technical, operational and governance dimensions of humanitarian forecasting.

The dialogue is being held alongside a feasibility study by the Office of Development Affairs on strengthening anticipatory action capabilities globally.

Organizers said the event is expected to establish a shared understanding of current early-warning capacities, identify priority gaps and explore the UAE's potential role in the field. It will also provide strategic input for the feasibility study and lay the groundwork for future collaboration among humanitarian organizations, technology actors and donor communities.

The session is expected to produce a summary of recommendations and a white paper outlining the strategic case for developing forecasting capabilities in humanitarian action.

Why is the UAE pushing for stronger humanitarian AI capacity?

Dr. Tareq Al Ameri, director of the Office of Development Affairs, said the global humanitarian system is under increasing pressure from budget constraints, declining donor contributions and a widening gap between humanitarian needs and available resources.

Advances in AI, he said, have created new opportunities for predicting natural disasters and humanitarian risks before they escalate. The dialogue reflects the UAE's effort to identify gaps in global forecasting capacity and develop practical solutions.

Al Ameri said stronger forecasting capabilities could improve resource allocation, reduce response costs and guide humanitarian interventions more precisely.

They could also deepen partnerships among humanitarian, technology and donor communities. The Office of Development Affairs framed the initiative as an extension of the UAE's broader humanitarian legacy, which it traces to the country's founding under the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.