Send us a text How are humanitarians using AI in 2026? Launching the next phase of our research Ka Man Parkinson sits down with Lucy Hall from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Madigan Johnson from Data Friendly Space to discuss the next phase of their groundbreaking humanitarian AI research. Building on insights from over 2,500 humanitarians across 144 countries and territories in 2025, the team launches a new pulse survey to track shifts in AI adoption across the sector. Togethe...

Send us a text How can solidarity transform humanitarian leadership to truly centre communities? In this candid leadership-focused conversation, Marina Kobzeva speaks with Ka Man Parkinson about the humanitarian sector at a critical juncture - and the unlearning, reflection and change required of all of us. Drawing on her lived experience and two decades as a humanitarian leader, Marina explores how the system "projectises" crisis, and why the most effective response is often led by c...

Send us a text How can humanitarian organisations bridge the AI readiness gap through critical thinking and localised approaches? Humanitarian organisations face a critical challenge: while individual staff members are racing ahead with AI experimentation in their daily work. According to new research from NetHope, only around 9% of organisations report being fully ready for systematic AI adoption. This gap between individual curiosity and institutional preparedness isn't just about acces...

Send us a text Questioning visuals in humanitarian communications and fundraising in light of localisation and AI. The use of images is crucial in the way we communicate especially in the humanitarian sector where an image is truly "worth a thousand words", many emotions, conversations and storage for historic information. In this episode Deborah Adesina (Debby), Doctoral Scholar at the University of Liverpool and David Girling, Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia, UK both co...

Send us a text How can experimentation and collaboration bridge the gap between humanitarian AI aspirations and reality? Our recent AI research conducted in partnership with Data Friendly Space highlighted infrastructural constraints and risk tolerance as major barriers to AI adoption. In this fifth instalment of our six-part Humanitarian AI podcast series, we explore how Rwanda's innovation ecosystem offers practical lessons for the humanitarian sector. We're delighted to welcome Deogr...

Send us a text How can indigenous knowledge systems and African philosophy reshape how we build and deploy AI for humanitarian work? Our research surfaced ethical and cultural concerns from humanitarians worldwide, particularly around the ownership and suitability of AI systems developed elsewhere for localised humanitarian action. How can communities shape AI rather than simply receive it? In the fourth instalment of our six-part humanitarian AI podcast series, Wakanyi Hoffman, Head of Resea...

Send us a text How can humanitarians engage responsibly with AI tools without clear governance frameworks? Only one in five humanitarian organisations have formal AI policies despite widespread usage - creating a "governance vacuum." How can organisations develop robust AI governance when operating across diverse regulatory environments whilst AI regulation is still emerging? In the third instalment of our six-part humanitarian AI podcast series, Timi Olagunju speaks to Ka Man Parkinson to di...

Send us a text How can humanitarian organisations bridge the gap between individual AI experimentation and organisational adoption? In this second instalment of our six-part humanitarian AI podcast series, Ka Man Parkinson sits down with Michael Tjalve to explore how organisations can move from experimentation to the deployment of contextualised, fit-for-purpose AI solutions - if an organisation decides that this is the right pathway for them, Michael brings over two decades of interdisciplin...

Send us a text The humanitarian community conversation on AI continues. Tune into a companion episode where the team respond to community questions raised at the August 2025 online launch event of the report 'How are humanitarians using AI in 2025? Mapping current practice and future potential' from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Data Friendly Space. The research team Lucy Hall and Ka Man Parkinson from the HLA and Madigan Johnson from DFS answer audience questions covering spe...

Send us a text How can artificial intelligence research be designed with community engagement at heart? When a simple LinkedIn poll asking humanitarians how often they use AI was scaled into a global survey attracting 2,500+ responses, it revealed something unexpected: practitioners are hungry to discuss AI adoption but lack the community space to air views and experiences. The team behind the first systematic study of AI use in humanitarian work reveal how they turned organic community...

Send us a text “Do not look at refugees solely as vulnerable people in need of aid. Recognise them as skilled capable and resilient individuals who have been displaced by the conflict. We believe that refugees should be seen as partners not just as beneficiaries and that’s what Women Refugees for Peace and Development are currently doing.” – Amira Some call it the 'forgotten crisis' but since April 2023, conflict in Sudan has led to a severe humanitarian disaster, with many fatalities and mil...

Send us a text What happens when someone who anticipated the sector's funding freezes looks ahead to what's coming next? 💭 "Chaos is part of this ecosystem we are operating, and we've been operating on the edge of that chaos... So it's very important when you are rethinking your models right now you have an opportunity. Please don't waste a serious crisis." - Ali Al Mokdad In this second instalment of a wide-ranging conversation with the HLA's Ka Man Parkinson, Ali Al Mokdad shifts from perso...

Send us a text “Being a leader, especially in this sector right now - it's not clear. We are all struggling and trying to find answers to big questions…I think the main important part is to try to sit and think and reflect…it's important to keep your eyes on the North Star, on the long-term goal, but also look at the present - how to deal with what's happening now while remembering the big picture." – Ali Al Mokdad What happens when traditional leadership models meet the complex realit...

Send us a text على المائدة أم على قائمة الطعام؟ المستجيبون المحليون في طليعة العمل الإنساني تُسلّط هذه الحلقة، "على الطاولة أم على قائمة الطعام؟"، الضوء على العاملين في المجال الإنساني الذين كانوا في الخطوط الأمامية للاستجابة في السودان. "لا تأتي إليّ بنهجك التنازلي. بصفتي مُستجيبًا أوليًا أو متطوعًا ميدانيًا، وبصفتي فردًا بحاجة إلى هذه الخدمة، دعني أُريك ما أريده بالضبط." - نهال الزاكي، منظمة ريما - دنقلا، الولاية الشمالية تُسلّط هذه المُحادثة الضوء على الأصوات المحلية في صميم الحوار الإنس...

Send us a text How can you stay connected to your 'why' as a humanitarian leader during these challenging times? 💬 "Whatever it is that you do, if you're not doing it with a full heart... something needs to change." - Foutoun Khalil Tune in to an inspiring conversation with two remarkable women navigating leadership in today's challenging humanitarian landscape. Ka Man Parkinson speaks to Foutoun Khalil, Head of Awards at Save the Children Lebanon, as she shares her bold career transition fro...

Send us a text A mini episode of Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives from Humanitarian Xchange Kampala. Communications and Marketing Specialist Nwabundo Okoh speaks with Joyce Nyaboga, Senior Network Development Advisor - Start Network; Dr. Atif Shdad, Emergency Response Rooms - Sudan; Huseyin Arslan, Consultant - Save the Children International and Nancy Mureti, Head of Regional Centers - Humanitarian Leadership Academy. In this episode, hear reflections on some topics shared at the energi...

Send us a text How can technology support dignified, community-led humanitarian action? Continuing a thematic exploration of humanitarian tech, Ka Man Parkinson speaks with Layma Murtaza and Safi Noorzai from Aseel – a social enterprise reimagining how aid can work through digital innovation, local leadership and global connection. This is a conversation about systems change from the ground up: the power of coalitions, the urgency of new funding models, and why centring people – not just prod...

Send us a text Ka Man Parkinson is joined by Lucy Hall from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Madigan Johnson from Data Friendly Space to discuss a landmark joint survey on AI adoption in the humanitarian sector. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is currently being used, what future potential it holds, and why this research is so vital. No matter where you are in the humanitarian eco-system - whether you're an early adopter or new to AI - your voice is essential in shap...

Send us a text How can academic research shape humanitarian action? This is the question at the heart of today's insightful discussion between two Education in Emergencies (EiE) colleagues from Save the Children International. Casey Pearson (EiE Technical Learning Specialist) sits down with Rafka Daoud (EiE Professional Development Programme Manager) to explore the critical connections between education, training and research, drawing on insights from Rafka’s recent doctoral research in...

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, Ka Man Parkinson speaks to Dr Cornelia C. Walther to hear her expert take on the implications of AI for humanitarians - and the actions we can take today to keep abreast of developments. Cornelia's experience positions her as an insightful and authoritative thought leader in this space: a former humanitarian leader with over 20 years of experience at UNICEF, she is now a Wharton/University of Pennsylvania fellow pioneering research on hybrid i...