Helping disaster response teams turn AI into action across Asia

Today in Bangkok, we’re bringing together 50 disaster management leaders from across Southeast and South Asia for our inaugural AI Jam for Disaster Management professionals, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (APDC), and DataKind.

The question guiding this initiative is simple, but urgent: How can AI help governments and nonprofits respond faster and more effectively when it matters most?

Participants come from 13 countries—Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam—representing government agencies, multilateral organizations and non-profits. Many are directly involved in disaster response on the ground, coordinating information, supporting affected communities, and making time-critical decisions.

Disaster response teams often operate in resource-constrained environments, working with fragmented data, manual processes and limited infrastructure. These constraints can slow coordination and delay critical decisions, especially in fast-moving situations where timely information is essential. Many teams are now exploring how AI can better support these workflows.

Asia remains the world’s most disaster-prone region, accounting for an estimated 75% of people affected by disasters globally. The World Bank estimates disasters have cost ASEAN countries more than $11 billion in previous years. During Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, internal data showed a 17× increase in cyclone-related messages on ChatGPT, highlighting how AI is already being used to access information and guidance during crises.

In today’s session, participants worked side by side with OpenAI mentors to find practical ways AI can support their daily work. Rather than starting from scratch, they explored building custom GPTs and reusable workflows they can apply in different situations—from situation reporting to needs assessment and public communication.

Together with our partners, we’re exploring a second phase in the coming months, focused on pilot deployments and deeper technical collaboration with participating organizations across the region. We look forward to continuing this work, building practical tools that help communities prepare for and respond to disasters more effectively.