{"id":3420,"date":"2024-03-26T19:23:45","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T19:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/data-for-action\/?p=3420"},"modified":"2024-04-08T09:50:44","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T09:50:44","slug":"pushing-the-frontiers-of-data-technology-to-drive-results-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/data-for-action\/pushing-the-frontiers-of-data-technology-to-drive-results-for-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Pushing the frontiers of data technology to drive results for children\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The potential of new data technologies like Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis to improve critical humanitarian and development work is immense. While these innovative technologies and skills are becoming commonplace in other sectors, they still represent the \u201cfrontier\u201d of what\u2019s available in humanitarian and development work. That\u2019s why UNICEF launched the <\/em>Frontier Data Network<\/em><\/a> (FDN) \u2013<\/em> a new initiative to facilitate to ethically and responsibly leverage data science and data technologies for UNICEF and partners. <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Realtime channels for understanding and prioritizing the needs of children<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf there is no data, there can be no development; and in the humanitarian space, [data are] about saving lives,\u201d said UNICEF\u2019s Deputy Executive Director (DED) Kitty Van Der Heijden at a recent<\/a> panel<\/a>, moderated by journalist Esther Paniagua, addressing the gap between frontier technologies and the humanitarian and development sectors. \u201cThirty years ago,\u201d DED Van Der Heijden reflected, \u201cwe had to walk for days to get to the mountain where an earthquake occurred, look around for what infrastructure was still standing, figure out how many children were in need… and then walk all the way back to send a fax reporting on needs: tarps, drinking water, food.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, DED Van Der Heijden observed, \u201cwe can see the damage as it happens\u201d using satellite images, social media analysis, and rapid surveys on the ground. By interpreting these data, we can now determine more quickly than ever which schools are damaged, which health facilities are still standing, or which drinking water facilities are still functioning. The result: UNICEF and its partners are able to prioritize relief efforts for the children with greatest needs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have seen the critical potential of frontier data technologies in our responses to recent crises like Ukraine or Gaza where geospatial technologies, satellite imagery, AI and other frontier data tech combined have allowed us to identify and respond much faster to critical needs of vulnerable children.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the technology and talent needed to perform this kind of work remains scarce and expensive. By one estimate, the social sector alone will need 3.5 million data scientists<\/a> over the next 10 years \u2013 not to mention digitalization of fundamental systems \u2013 to achieve its goals. With limited resources, hiring millions of new staff is impossible; that\u2019s why UNICEF has taken a different approach.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In response to the challenges posed by unreliable data collection during emergencies, FDN leveraged new sources and approaches to obtain the most updated estimations for damage assessment and population displacement. Collaborating with scientists from leading universities, FDN utilized social media advertising data from Meta, satellite imagery from UNOSAT and mobility data to provide near real-time data on population displacement, enabling targeted humanitarian responses in Ukraine. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Networked Solution <\/strong> <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To bridge the digital skills and technology gap, UNICEF is building a global community from across the private sector, academic research centers, and the front lines of the humanitarian world \u2013 where these skills are needed most.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 300 staff and partners are already engaged in the early stages of the Frontier Data Network across 60+ countries and multiple disciplines. Participants are collaborating on dozens of projects<\/a> that leverage data in new ways to drive results for children. These \u201cbig data\u201d pilots and data analytics projects not only improve UNICEF\u2019s ability to respond to existing crises but also help staff predict and better prepare for future impacts on vulnerable children\u2014such as impacts from floods, droughts, or conflict.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The potential of these technologies, when integrated with existing systems, offer a new hope for dealing with some of the most critical and growing challenges affecting children from conflict to epidemics or climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, frontier data technologies can also lead to wrong decision making. \u201cThese new applications of data science can easily exacerbate and systematize inequalities and leave behind the most vulnerable, especially children who are rarely represented in big data, if we are not careful.\u201d observes Manuel Garcia-Herranz, principal researcher of the Frontier Data Network. For example, epidemic models using mobile phone data that fail to correct for bias (e.g. not everyone has a phone) could incorrectly influence crisis planning by suggesting<\/a> that epidemics will reach wealthier areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is why it is so critical to ensure that new data science technologies and methods are developed based on the needs of the most vulnerable: with more attention to data bias, algorithmic equity, and the \u201clast mile\u201d of humanitarian and development efforts,\u201d says Garcia-Herranz. The application of frontier data and technology to the humanitarian sector is just as new for data scientists as it is for practitioners on the ground. Building these new skills and capabilities requires new talent exchange and talent creation opportunities\u2014to help define key problems of the most vulnerable in machine learning and computer science terms and to integrate these new methods into existing humanitarian and development programs.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike traditional capacity building approaches, the Frontier Data Network aims to provide staff on the front lines with a network of resources, relationships, and talent. At the same time, the FDN will offer global technology experts a direct path to making a sustained impact in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe strength of the Frontier Data Network lies in the local and regional engagement,\u201d says FDN team member Viviana Canon Tamayo. \u201cBy centering the needs and experiences of colleagues or even government partners on the frontlines, we are able to collectively apply technology to solve real-world challenges, rather than tech or data solutions in search of problem.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch this short video to learn more: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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