The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the global technology group e& have unveiled the results of their new AI-powered Social and Climate Platform. This initiative aims to leverage artificial intelligence to produce real-time insights from unconventional data, informing policy decisions and fostering sustainable development in the Arab States and beyond.

Developed as part of the Digital for Sustainable Development initiative, launched in 2023, the platform utilizes natural language processing and sentiment analysis. It monitors critical subjects such as climate change, natural disasters, and public health in real-time, analyzing trillions of data points. This allows policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners to make informed, data-driven decisions that can enhance resilience and sustainability.

Robert Opp, the Chief Digital Officer of UNDP, emphasized that “Responsible AI has the potential to drive sustainable development by providing real-time, data-informed insights that strengthen decision-making and resilience.” He expressed support for innovative solutions that align with UNDP’s mission to ensure that AI benefits all communities.

The partnership between UNDP and e& was initially highlighted during the United Nations General Assembly when they announced their collaboration to assess the impact of the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquake. Building on this foundation, they are now working on AI-driven projects aimed at improving healthcare, ensuring compliance with a Responsible AI Framework that promotes ethical and inclusive AI deployment across the Arab States.

According to Zawya, Dena Almansoori, Group Chief AI & Data Officer at e&, stated that this collaboration demonstrates how responsible AI can significantly impact communities. She noted, “Through this collaboration with UNDP, we’re proving that AI, when deployed responsibly, is a force multiplier for impact.” Almansoori highlighted that this initiative aims to transform digital signals into life-changing solutions, fostering resilience and equity across the region.

Insights from the platform regarding the Türkiye-Syria earthquake reveal that while 78% of aid requests were fulfilled, there were notable disparities in the timely and equitable distribution of assistance. Furthermore, over 60% of relief efforts prioritized immediate humanitarian aid and disaster relief coordination, with less than 10% focusing on sustainable recovery, such as emergency medical aid and infrastructure rebuilding.

The findings indicate that aftershocks posed the most significant hazard at 87.4%, followed by landslides at 7.2% and flooding at 5.4%. This underscores the urgent need for thorough structural assessments and effective land-use planning following the earthquake.

These insights will guide evidence-based policy-making, crisis response strategies, and regional development initiatives under the Digital for Sustainable Development Initiative (D4SD). The emphasis is also placed on integrating development-focused approaches and community assessments into early recovery strategies, enhancing data-driven decision-making and aligning immediate relief efforts with long-term resilience goals.

Currently, e& operates in 38 countries, recognizing the transformative power of technology to improve lives. The group’s financial performance in 2024 showed a consolidated revenue of AED 59.2 billion and a net profit of AED 10.8 billion, solidifying its status as a financial powerhouse. The ongoing strategic investments in AI, IoT, 5G, and cloud services further reinforce its leadership in the global technology landscape.