About UN Global Pulse
UN Global Pulse works through a network of labs to accelerate the discovery, development, and responsible use of big data and artificial intelligence innovations and policies for sustainable development, humanitarian action, and peace.Activities by UN Global Pulse
PulseSatellite: A collaboration tool using human-AI interaction to analyse satellite imagery
Africa, Asia and the Pacific BangladeshSomalia
PulseSatellite is a collaborative satellite image analysis tool that leverages neural network models that can be retrained on-the-fly and adapted to specific humanitarian contexts and geographies. The tool has models for mapping structures in refugee settlements, roof density detection, and flood mapping.
We are also working closely with UNOSAT to develop benchmark datasets for shelter (refugee camp) mapping, building footprint detection and damage assessment. We plan to use these to test many of the available well trained and top-performing models, but in the context of UN-focused datasets (e.g. with more of a Global South and development context than many of the standard machine learning benchmarks) and make this available as a service to the UN system.
Operational contexts are rapidly changing, meaning that AI models may not always perform well. Through using a human-in-the-loop approach we have found that models can be adapted to such changing settings, however, this still requires (sometimes significant) manual intervention from analysts.
Imagining post-Covid-19 UN: foresight for organizational realignment and adaptation
Global Not ApplicableUN Global Pulse fostered a strategic foresight exercise to frame the role of the UN post-COVID-19 through scenarios and future visioning. The activity leveraged partnerships with two private sector entities to access AI tools for foresight research and scenario building.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsNetworks/Mentorship/ExchangeOnline radio monitoring for public health social listening and beyond
AfricaA radio monitoring pipeline was developed to 'listen' to online radio stations, transcribe the audio using machine learning speech-to-text models, and analyze the content using NLP methods. The dashboard is used by infodemic managers and decision-makers to inform public health interventions.
Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsResearch/Reports/AssessmentsUnderstanding population movement related to COVID-19 border closures
Latin America and the Caribbean BrazilVenezuelaThis project aims to calculate and anticipate the number of displaced persons crossing the Brazil-Venezuela border to understand their need for humanitarian support. It consists of a queue modeling tool, a nowcasting effort using big data, and predictive models for forecasting future movements.
Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsResearch/Reports/Assessments