Bangkok: AI at the Heart of Disaster Management in Asia

An AI Jam to Revolutionize Disaster Management in Asia

In Bangkok, a groundbreaking event brought together 50 disaster management leaders from across Southeast and South Asia. This first AI Jam, organized in partnership with the Gates Foundation, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), and DataKind, aims to explore how artificial intelligence can transform disaster responses. The central question is crucial: how can AI enable governments and NGOs to react more quickly and effectively in times of crisis?

Participants from 13 different countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam, represent a diversity of government agencies, multilateral organizations, and NGOs. These professionals are often on the front lines, coordinating information and supporting affected communities while making critical decisions under pressure.

This event is part of the expansion of OpenAI's program for countries, announced in Davos. The goal is to help organizations move from theoretical interest in AI to concrete applications integrated into their daily challenges.

The Growing Urgency of Disasters in Asia

Disaster response teams in Asia often work in environments where resources are limited. They must contend with fragmented data and manual processes, which can slow coordination and delay crucial decisions. In these contexts, AI is seen as a potential means to improve these workflows.

The urgency of the situation continues to grow. Last year, a series of typhoons and severe storms struck South and Southeast Asia, testing response systems. Asia is the most disaster-prone region, accounting for about 75% of people affected by disasters worldwide. According to the World Bank, disasters have cost ASEAN countries over $11 billion in recent years.

During Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, the use of AI demonstrated its potential. Internal data revealed a 17-fold increase in cyclone-related messages on ChatGPT. In Thailand, during Cyclone Senyar in November 2025, AI usage also surged, with message volume increasing 3.2 times compared to previous months. These trends highlight the opportunity to integrate AI into information gathering and decision-making during emergencies.

Towards Practical AI Solutions

The AI Jam in Bangkok focused on creating practical solutions. Participants collaborated with mentors from OpenAI to develop concrete ways to use AI in their daily work.

Rather than starting from scratch, they explored creating custom GPTs and reusable workflows for various situations, ranging from situation reports to public communication. The emphasis was on the responsible use of AI and building institutional trust.

“This session aims to bridge the gap between what AI can do and its use in the field. In Asia, there is a strong interest in AI, but the real opportunity lies in transforming it into practical capabilities,” said Sandy Kunvatanagarn, Head of Public Policy at OpenAI.

“Equipping those close to communities with the skills necessary to use emerging technologies like AI is crucial for disaster preparedness and response,” added Dr. Valerie Nkamgang Bemo, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation.

“AI opens new possibilities for understanding and responding to disasters. The ADPC integrates AI into geospatial tools and risk analysis to transform satellite and ground observation data into actionable information. The AI Skills Jam could enhance AI literacy and enable people to find solutions to disaster-related challenges. We can combine AI tools with regional expertise and partnerships to strengthen early warning systems, improve risk mapping, and support faster, better-informed decisions for communities and governments in the region,” explained Mr. Aslam Perwaiz, Executive Director of the ADPC.

With our partners, we envision a second phase focused on pilot deployments and in-depth technical collaboration with participating organizations. We look forward to continuing this work, developing practical tools that help communities better prepare for and respond to disasters.