'Defense In Depth Approach' Crucial For AI Integration In Calamity-Prone Philippines' Disaster Management

The province of Abra in northern Philippines took the full force of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in July. (Credit: Office of Abra Representative Ching Bernos via AFP / Handout)

KEY POINTS

• The Philippines is first among top 10 countries with the highest disaster risk scores
• The DOST recently launched AIRCoDE that involves deep learning for flood level forecasting
• AI-powered disaster systems should have "multiple levels of checks and oversight": think tank ITIF's Daniel Castro
• Humans have a "moral responsibility" in AI system use: National Institute of Geological Sciences professor Alfredo Lagmay

In a country where natural disasters such as earthquakes are common, artificial intelligence could play a key role in strengthening disaster management systems. However, a "defense in depth" approach to AI integration should be considered to ensure that data collected for improved disaster management will serve its purpose.