Early warning for All – Leveraging AI to identify the unconnected
2Over the past year, ITU has closely collaborated with Microsoft AI for Good, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), and Planet Labs, utilizing advanced artificial intelligence to accurately identify and quantify populations lacking connectivity. This initiative has combined high-resolution precision population mapping with advanced connectivity analysis to measure—for the first time—the populations who remain unconnected and are consequently at risk of not receiving critical emergency information. The results of this initiative will significantly enhance ITU’s targeted early warning capabilities and intervention strategies. We are excited to announce the outcomes of this important initiative at the AI for Good Summit in July, bringing together project leaders to celebrate this milestone achievement.
During the session, an early-access collaboration program is introduced. This initiative invites additional organizations to partner with Microsoft, Planet Labs, and IHME to leverage precision population insights, effectively targeting vulnerable communities and strengthening global early warning systems.
This session builds upon Juan Lavista’s impactful presentation from last year’s ITU Summit on the Future of Actionable Data, held during the UN General Assembly (UNGA), where ITU and Microsoft initially announced this collaborative project.
Moderator:
Vanessa Gray
Head, Climate and Emergency Telecommunications Division, Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Panelists:
Andrew Zolli
Author | Chief Impact Officer, Planet
Christopher J.L. Murray
Professor; IHME Director; Chair, Department of Health Metrics Sciences, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Juan Lavista Ferres
Corporate Vice President & Chief Data Scientist, AI for Good Lab, Microsoft
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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed are those of the panelists and do not reflect the official policy of the ITU.