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Doha, October 20 (QNA) - Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with the British Embassy in Doha, officially launched the "Artificial Intelligence in Qatar's Humanitarian Sector" project, a pioneering initiative that aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen humanitarian aid, crisis response, and resilience-building in Qatar and beyond.The launch ceremony celebrated this landmark partnership and highlighted the shared vision between Qatar University and the British Embassy to advance innovation, research, and global collaboration in humanitarian technology.During the event, a cooperation agreement was signed between the British Embassy and Qatar University to formally commence the project and to unite efforts toward leveraging AI for social good.The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy, along with senior leadership from QU, including Vice President for Health and Medical Sciences and Director of the Biomedical Research Center, Prof. Asmaa Al-Thani, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Prof. Aiman Erbad, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Hanan Abdul Rahim, and Head of the Department of Public Health, Dr. Karam Turk Adawi, as well as faculty members and partners. In her remarks, Dean of the College of Health Sciences at QU, Prof. Hanan Abdul Rahim, stated: "At the College of Health Sciences, we strive to conduct research defined by creativity, collaboration, and purpose. Through initiatives like this project, we are working with our partners to explore how artificial intelligence can strengthen humanitarian action and resilience in real-world settings. Our engagement in this area reflects our commitment to align research with global innovation and real-world needs".For his part, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Doha, Duncan Hill, said: "This initiative is a testament to the strong and evolving partnership between the United Kingdom and Qatar in science, research, and humanitarian innovation. Together, we are demonstrating how technology can be used as a force for good; empowering preparedness, resilience, and effective response when crises strike.Following the ceremony, Qatar University hosted the inaugural Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting under this AI project. The TWG brought together representatives from leading national and international institutions and organizations engaged in humanitarian work. This TWG will establish collaborative frameworks for AI-driven humanitarian initiatives, data sharing, and the development of early warning systems to enhance regional and global resilience.Importantly, and for the first time, the TWG will develop ethical guidelines and principles for the adoption of AI in humanitarian settings, jointly led by Qatar and the United Kingdom. These guidelines will inform and guide global ethical standards and best practices for the responsible use of AI in humanitarian contexts. (QNA)
