AI to help Hurricane Ian and Fiona victims secure cash payouts

The nonprofit GiveDirectly has deployed Google’s AI to identify low-income people affected by hurricanes in Florida and Puerto Rico and to provide them with financial assistance.

Experts use satellite imagery of devastation after disasters and poverty data to identify the most needy communities. According to the organization, AI helps identify such regions within a day of receiving the images.

“Getting to the affected areas on the ground, driving around, looking, and identifying storm-damaged homes is much harder and less effective than using AI. Moreover, a whole neighbourhood can be missed if you try to do it manually,” said Sara Moran, regional director of GiveDirectly in the United States.

Using the SNAP Benefits Providers app, the organization notifies people in the most affected regions about the possibility of receiving financial assistance. After submitting their applications, $700 will be deposited into their accounts within 24–48 hours.

Moran said that fair assistance is crucial in disasters.

“Strong hurricanes exacerbate property inequality and widen the racial wealth gap. Recovery after a natural disaster is a critical moment to ensure support for restoring the most vulnerable people,” she added.

In October, Ohio State University researchers developed a machine-learning algorithm that predicts the extent of building damage after a hurricane.

Subscribe to ForkLog’s Telegram news: ForkLog AI — all the news from the world of AI!