As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances, so does its potential to transform the way we prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. From analyzing vast and varied datasets in real-time to improving the accuracy of early warning systems (EWS), AI offers powerful tools for anticipating risks and coordinating effective action. When deployed responsibly, AI can help decision-makers act more quickly and efficiently, thereby reducing the human and economic costs associated with disasters. 

At the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP), a hallmark of our mission is to understand and improve the capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Our work on AI in disaster management focuses on integrating machine learning and predictive modeling into preparedness planning, anticipatory action frameworks, and recovery strategies. By bridging innovation with equity-centered approaches, we ensure that AI enhances the human judgment and community engagement that are essential to building safer, more resilient societies.

Types of Stakeholder Activities

Through partnerships and educational activities, we engage with stakeholders to:  

  • Develop a tailored strategy for organizations to prioritize their engagement with AI-driven technologies and determine when to focus on more traditional approaches. 
  • Provide support to co-develop a system of triggers that indicate when critical levels of disaster risk are reached. 
  • Build capacity through training and education programs that equip practitioners, policymakers, and communities with the skills to responsibly use AI in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. 
  • Integrating AI technologies into disaster recovery planning for decision support.  
  • Explore governance and ethical frameworks for the use of AI in disaster management, and examine their impacts across different communities and demographic groups. 
  • Define and revise standard operating procedures for anticipatory action and response that are directly informed by AI-driven forecasts and predictions. 
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Media and Publications

Below is a list of recent media, webinars, and publications from our colleagues at NCDP.

AI for Wildfires and Heatwaves. LEAP Wallerstein Panel Series. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://ncdp.columbia.edu/ncdp-perspectives/ai-for-wildfires-and-heatwaves    

Data and AI for Decision-Support and Policy. LEAP Wallerstein Panel Series. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://ncdp.columbia.edu/ncdp-perspectives/data-and-ai-for-decision-support-and-policy  

AI for Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Action. LEAP Wallerstein Panel Series. Retrieved March 27, 2025, from https://ncdp.columbia.edu/ncdp-perspectives/ai-for-early-warning-systems-and-anticipatory-action  

Lessons from Valencia’s Deadly Floods and the Role of AI in Disaster Preparedness. LEAP Wallerstein Panel Series. Retrieved March 27, 2025, from https://ncdp.columbia.edu/ncdp-perspectives/lessons-from-valencias-deadly-floods-and-the-role-of-ai-in-disaster-preparedness  

Chandler, T. & Huang, S. (2025, February 7). Transforming Disaster Management: The Promise and Challenges of AI in Wildfire Damage Assessment. NCDP Perspectives. https://ncdp.columbia.edu/ncdp-perspectives/transforming-disaster-management-the-promise-and-challenges-of-ai-in-wildfire-damage-assessment