Globe joins UN-led initiative using AI for disaster response

Globe Telecom Inc. has joined the United Nations Global Pulse’s Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action (DISHA) coalition, the first telecommunications company to do so, to utilize AI-driven data for disaster preparedness and response.

In a statement, Globe said it was a landmark pro bono agreement with the DISHA coalition, which recently launched its pilot run in the country, one of the world's most disaster-prone regions, where more than half of the population experiences disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.

"Given the Philippines’ vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, Globe is honored to be the first telecommunications company to join the DISHA coalition. This multi-sectoral partnership underscores our commitment to sustainability by leveraging digital technology to enable solutions and inspire collective action towards inclusive sustainable development," said Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yoly Crisanto.

DISHA responds to the challenge of providing timely and accurate information critical in providing aid and ensuring swift recovery efforts through the dynamic Socio-Economic Mapping solution developed in partnership with McKinsey & Company and its AI arm QuantumBlack.

The Population Movement heatmap features the unexpected population movement in disaster-affected regions in near real time through trends derived from telecommunications data.

Meanwhile, the Poverty Nowcasting feature utilizes machine learning models trained on government census data, telecom trends, and other anonymized signals to give a regularly updated view of poverty levels, assisting humanitarian organizations to better respond to disasters and reach those in most need.

"When used responsibly, trends derived from telecommunications data can meaningfully augment operational analytics available to first responders. We thank Globe for recognizing this potential and investing with us in making this a reality," said Katya Klinova, head of AI for humanitarian and development use at UN Global Pulse. —Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA Integrated News