AI for Humanitarianism: Fostering Social Change Through Emerging Technologies

This book explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing critical humanitarian challenges. It examines AI’s role in enhancing emergency responses, poverty alleviation, and healthcare.

Chapters authored by a diverse group of international contributors cover topics such as AI’s application in disease prediction, ethical AI practices, and innovative resource distribution. This book uniquely blends theoretical insights with practical case studies, providing a road map for leveraging AI in humanitarian efforts. Readers will benefit from detailed explorations of AI’s capabilities and challenges, gaining insights into how AI can drive social change and improve global humanitarian outcomes.

Targeted at policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and anyone interested in the intersection of AI and humanitarianism, this book offers valuable perspectives on ensuring AI technologies are both advanced and ethically sound.

Adeyemi Abel Ajibesin is a distinguished academic scholar with over two decades of extensive experience in research, teaching, and leadership, particularly in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Currently serving as a visiting professor in the Department of IT at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa, he previously held positions such as Chair/HoD of Software Engineering at the School of IT & Computing (SITC) at the American University of Nigeria, founding Interim Dean of the School of Engineering, Interim Dean of the School of IT & Computing, and Director of the African Centre for ICT Innovation and Training. He has also served in various capacities at Simon Fraser University in Canada, the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology Innovation in Kenya, among other institutions. His areas of research are data science, broadband networks, frontier analysis, and AI. His prolific research portfolio is reflected in numerous articles published in reputable peer-reviewed conference proceedings, journals, and books, alongside patents for engineering products and copyrighted computing software, showcasing his innovative contributions to his field. Dr. Ajibesin’s leadership and academic excellence have been recognized through numerous awards and grants, including esteemed accolades such as the Google Research (explorerCSR), AIMS, CSIR and IEEE.

Narasimha Rao Vajjhala currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the University of New York Tirana in Albania. He previously held the position of Chair for the Computer Science and Software Engineering programs at the American University of Nigeria. Dr. Vajjhala is a senior member of both the ACM and IEEE. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Risk and Contingency Management (IJRCM) and a member of the Risk Management Society (RIMS) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). With over 23 years of experience, Dr. Vajjhala has taught programming and database-related courses across Europe and Africa at both graduate and undergraduate levels. He has also worked as a consultant for technology firms in Europe and participated in EU-funded projects. Dr. Vajjhala holds a Doctorate in Information Systems and Technology from the United States, a Master of Science in Computer Science and Applications from India, and a Master of Business Administration specializing in Information Systems from Switzerland.