Podcast
Humanitarian Frontiers
Hosted by Chris Hoffman · EN
The "Humanitarian Frontiers" podcast series explores how cutting-edge technologies like AI and Edge Tech are fundamentally transforming global aid, featuring deep-dive conversations with innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders. Each season—such as 'Humanitarian Frontiers in AI' and 'Humanitarian Frontiers on the Edge'—delivers essential insights into the strategies, challenges, and ethical considerations for deploying scalable tech solutions in complex humanitarian environments.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Blockchain for Trust, Traceability and Transfers
2w ago00:51:31Summary readyIn Episode 5, Chris Hoffman is joined by Abhi Kumar (Thunes) and John Reynolds (Aleo) to make “blockchain” practical for the humanitarian world—focusing on trust, traceability, and cross-border transfers that can reduce (not replace) the need to move physical cash.Abhi explains how modern payment infrastructure is now bridging fiat rails + stablecoins through a single API, and why stablecoins like USDC/USDT are becoming a serious option for global payouts and wallet-based distribution in volatile contexts. John breaks down what stablecoins are (and what they aren’t), then goes deeper on the privacy problem: most blockchains are transparent by default, creating real risks around surveillance and sensitive beneficiary data. Aleo’s approach—using zero-knowledge cryptography—aims to enable private, compliant payments with selective disclosure. What we cover:Stablecoins in aid delivery: USDC/USDT, wallets, liquidity, on/off-ramps Interoperability: moving value across rails (banks, wallets, digital assets) Privacy + compliance: protecting PII while enabling auditability Links:Thunes (global payment infrastructure): https://www.thunes.com/ (thunes.com)Thunes Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets (USDC/USDT payouts): https://www.thunes.com/pay-to-stablecoin-wallets/ (thunes.com)Aleo (zero-knowledge by design): https://aleo.org/ (aleo.org)USDC (issued by Circle): https://www.circle.com/usdc (Circle)LinkedIn (quick find):Abhi Kumar (Thunes): https://www.linkedin.com/in/abxkumar/John Reynolds (Aleo): https://www.linkedin.com/in/1jreynolds/keywords: humanitarian payments, stablecoins, USDC, USDT, cross-border transfers, cash and voucher assistance, blockchain for good, zero-knowledge, privacy-preserving payments, fintech for humanitarian response.
SummaryBuilding the Human Infrastructure
Apr 1200:54:56Summary readyIn Episode 3, Chris Hoffman sits down with Kate H. Wilson (Managing Director, Impact Futures Global) and Sean Burke (Strategy Lead – Nonprofit Practice, Accenture Health & Public Service) for a straight talk on what HR has to become in humanitarian and development organisations—especially in an era of AI, tighter budgets, and rising operational complexity. This episode goes beyond “HR policies” into the real work: rebuilding operating models, retaining talent when purpose alone isn’t enough, and designing human + machine collaboration without losing the human outcomes that matter. We dig into why the sector’s funding squeeze is forcing a reset (or reckoning), and how organisations can rethink roles, skills, and leadership so they can deliver more impact with fewer resources.What we cover:Future of HR in humanitarian response and international developmentTalent retention, career pathways, and staff care under pressureAI in operations: “human in the lead” (not just in the loop)Rethinking operating models: people + process + technologyEcosystem partnerships and sustainable capacity-buildingLinks:Kate H. Wilson bio: https://r4d.org/about/our-team/kate-wilson/Sean Burke bio (Independent Sector): https://independentsector.org/people/sean-burke/ Accenture Nonprofit Consulting: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/industries/public-service/nonprofit LinkedIn (quick find):Kate H. Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinehwilson/Sean Burke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanburke/keywords: humanitarian HR, future of work, AI for social impact, operating model redesign, talent retention, organisational transformation, workforce strategy, non-profit digital transformation.
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Open Source, Open Futures--Digital Public Goods
Mar 2200:53:58Summary readyIn Episode 2, Chris Hoffman is joined by Sandra Uwantege Hart (Mercy Corps Ventures) and Doug Smith (Acting CEO, Data Friendly Space) for a clear-eyed conversation about open source, Digital Public Goods (DPGs), and what sustainability really looks like once the pilot funding runs out.This episode cuts through the buzzwords and gets into the hard parts: why “everything must be open source” can unintentionally create abandoned codebases, how donor incentives shape what gets built (and what gets maintained), and why long-term ownership, governance, and security often matter more than ideology. Doug shares why AI adoption is accelerating faster than most humanitarian policies can keep up, and what that means for risk and accountability. Sandra adds the nuance on localization—how blanket requirements can undermine local tech start-ups and limit sustainable business models in the places where humanitarian response actually happens.What we cover:Open source vs. DPGs (and when each makes sense)Sustainability beyond pilots: maintenance, governance, securityLocalization and market-shaping effects of funding requirementsResponsible AI + data risk in humanitarian operationsLinks:Data Friendly Space: https://www.datafriendlyspace.org/Doug Smith (DFS profile): https://www.datafriendlyspace.org/members/doug-smithMercy Corps Ventures: https://www.mercycorps.org/what-we-do/venturesMercy Corps Ventures: https://www.mercycorpsventures.com/LinkedIn:Sandra Uwantege Hart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-uwantege-hart-862b5986/Doug Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connectwithdoug/keywords: digital public goods, open source sustainability, humanitarian innovation, responsible AI, localization, humanitarian technology, NGO digital transformation, data governance.
SummaryFrom Prototype to Planet
Mar 100:52:39Summary readyWhen connectivity drops, power is limited, and the stakes are life-and-death, “cool tech” isn’t enough. In Episode 1, Chris Hoffman is joined by Camille Crittenden (Executive Director, CITRIS & the Banatao Institute at UC Berkeley) and Carlos Pignataro (former CTO at Cisco, Founder/Principal, Blue Fern Consulting; tech-for-good inventor) to talk about what it really takes to build resilient, offline-first technology for humanitarian response.You’ll hear why the best systems are designed for reality: messy environments, unreliable networks, frontline workflows, and rapid change. Camille breaks down practical principles for offline data collection, delayed sync, usability under pressure, and responsible deployment. Carlos adds hard-won lessons from field experience and the importance of co-design with the people who will actually use the tools—so solutions don’t fail at the last mile.What we cover:Edge computing + offline-first design for humanitarian operationsCo-design (top-down architecture + bottom-up user reality)Security, resilience, and trustworthy data in crisis settingsBuilding tech that scales without breaking communitiesLinks:Camille (CITRIS bio): https://citris-uc.org/people/person/camille-crittenden/ (CITRIS and the Banatao Institute)Carlos (Blue Fern profile): https://bluefern.consulting/carlos (Blue Fern Consulting)Carlos (Cisco author page): https://blogs.cisco.com/author/carlospignataro (Cisco Blogs)Carlos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpignata/ (cednc.org)Camille LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillecrittenden/keywords: humanitarian innovation, edge computing, offline-first, crisis tech, resilient systems, co-design, digital transformation, humanitarian operations.
SummaryHumanitarian Frontiers on the Edge Trailer
Dec 1100:00:50Summary readyGet Ready! New Season Launches in 2026!
SummaryWhere to Next?
May 14, 202500:41:43Summary readyDuring the tenth and final episode of Humanitarian Frontiers in AI, we discuss how the changes we have seen in the past year might influence the year to come. This broad conversation covers tech advancements and adoptions in the humanitarian sector, what is fuelling the need for partnerships, and how context-specific work can support the effective use of community-driven technologies. We also get into false perceptions about open source, the risk AI poses to open source, and why traditional ways of work are irrelevant to evolving tech. Next, we discuss what our sector can do to improve its relationship to technology and leverage it to achieve more, including shifting some of the perceptions that have informed its approach in the past. Join us as we wrap up a 101 in humanitarian AI relevant to listeners from all backgrounds. Thanks for listening! Key Points From This Episode:Welcome to the tenth and final episode of Humanitarian Frontiers in AI. Why the conversation around AI and innovation in humanitarian work is so relevant.How Nasim’s experiences over the past year may lead to future advancements.Tech advancements and adoptions in the humanitarian sector.The missing lexicon that highlights the need for partnerships. Context-specific work and supporting community-driven technologies.Why it’s important to distinguish between open source and zero cost.How risks from AI are threatening open source.The problem of applying traditional ways of working to AI. How the humanitarian sector can improve its relationship to technology.Distinguishing between humanitarian and international mandates.The stumbling block posed by in-between spaces.How we will continue this podcast’s mission in the future. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:AI Code Hallucinations Increase the Risk of ‘Package Confusion’ AttacksNasim Motalebi Nasim Motalebi on LinkedIn Chris Hoffman on LinkedIn
Summary3Ps: Policy, Product, Pragmatism: You Only Know What You Know
Apr 30, 202500:47:08Summary readyWhat happens when the worlds of policy, product development, and pragmatic decision-making collide in the race to create responsible AI? In this episode of Humanitarian Frontiers in AI, we are joined by a panel of experts, Sabrina Shih, Hadassah Drukarch, Gayatri Jayal, and Jigyasa Grover, for an in-depth discussion of responsible AI development in humanitarian contexts. Together, they unpack the realities of applying AI technologies in crisis-affected settings and grapple with issues around trust, speed, cultural adaptation, and ethical responsibility. They unpack how “human-in-the-loop” models must adapt depending on the context, how affected populations should be involved in AI design, and how to navigate scaling technologies quickly versus building them responsibly. They also explore the challenges of building context-specific tools, the evolving definitions of responsible AI, and how humanitarian organizations can stay rooted in people and processes, not just technology. Join us to discover insights into the crucial role of people and AI design in reshaping humanitarian work. Tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:Introduction to today’s guests and their perspectives on the role of AI in humanitarianism.Learn about the risks and opportunities of using AI for decision-making in humanitarian work.Why AI is a “double-edged sword” and how organizations can set effective guardrails.What “human-in-the-loop” means and why it depends on autonomy, context, and design.Explore the role of affected populations in AI development, lifecycle, and implementation.Challenges of balancing speed, cost, and responsible AI deployment in humanitarian work.Unpack the colonial undercurrents of AI development and the power imbalances it causes.How to identify the needs of an affected population and the potential AI-based solutions. Measuring the cost and return of humanitarian AI solutions versus private-sector models.Hear about the future of AI, how it will enable experts, and best practices for developing AI.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Sabrina Shih on LinkedInHadassah Drukarch on LinkedInResponsible AI InstituteGayatri Jayal on LinkedInDimagiJigyasa GroverJigyasa Grover on LinkedInNasim Motalebi Nasim Motalebi on LinkedIn Chris Hoffman on LinkedIn
SummaryAI Regulations: Trickling up, Pouring Down, or Nowhere to Be Seen?
Apr 14, 202500:44:34Summary readyWho sets the rules for AI and who gets left behind? In this episode of Humanitarian Frontiers in AI, we’re joined by Gabrielle Tran, Senior Analyst at the Institute for Security and Technology (IST), and Richard Mathenge, Co-founder of Techworker Community Africa (TCA), to explore the global landscape of AI regulation and its humanitarian impact. From the hidden labor behind AI models to the ethical and political tensions in governance, this conversation unpacks the fragmented policies shaping AI’s future, from the EU’s AI Act to the U.S.'s decentralized approach. Richard sheds light on the underpaid, invisible workforce behind AI moderation and training, while Gabrielle examines the geopolitical power struggles in AI governance and whether global policies can ever align. We also tackle AI’s high-risk deployment in humanitarian work, the responsibilities of NGOs using AI in the Global South, and potential solutions like data trusts to safeguard vulnerable populations. If you care about the future of AI in humanitarian efforts, this episode breaks down the challenges, risks, and urgent questions shaping the path forward. Tune in to understand what’s at stake (and why it matters)!Key Points From This Episode:The hidden labor of AI: how AI models rely on underpaid human moderators.AI ethics versus the ethics of AI and how ethical concerns are framed as technical fixes.Insight into the sometimes murky origins of training datasets.Contrasting the EU’s AI Act with America’s decentralized approach.The risks of AI deployment in humanitarian work, particularly in crisis zones.Accountability in AI supply chains: how new EU policies may enforce transparency.Reasons that AI governance is a low priority in many African nations.Why tech giants typically only comply with AI policy when it benefits them.AI for surveillance versus humanitarian use: the double-edged sword of AI governance.An introduction to the concept of data trusts to safeguard humanitarian AI data.Ensuring informed consent for workers when building and monitoring AI tools.The role of humanitarian organizations like the UN in enforcing “digital rights."What goes into building an ethical future for AI in humanitarian work.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Richard Mathenge on LinkedInTechworker Community Africa (TCA)Gabrielle Tran on LinkedInGabrielle Tran on XInstitute for Security and Technology (IST)EU AI ActNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)AI Risk Management Framework (RMF)Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)The Alignment ProblemNasim Motalebi Nasim Motalebi on LinkedIn Chris Hoffman on LinkedInInnovation Norway
SummaryThe Donor Dilemma: Risk Tolerance, Innovation and Responsibility
Mar 31, 202500:55:43Summary readyHow do donors balance risk, responsibility, and innovation in the evolving humanitarian sector? In this episode of Humanitarian Frontiers in AI, we welcome leading voices from the donor landscape Therese Marie Uppstrøm Pankratov, Special advisor at Innovation Norway, Sian White, Director of UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub, and Zainah Alsamman, Senior Progam Manager at Grand Challenges, to discuss shifting funding priorities and the role of AI in humanitarian work. In today’s conversation, we explore the challenges and opportunities in scaling AI-driven solutions, ethical data use, and how to foster partnerships to create impact. We delve into how the humanitarian sector should approach AI and innovation and learn why reducing competition and embracing collaboration of AI technologies is essential for the humanitarian sector. We also explore the importance of capacity building and systems innovation, the appetite for risk in the sector, and the need for locally-led AI solutions. Join us to gain insights into bridging the digital divide, how humanitarian organizations fit into the AI landscape, the future of humanitarian innovation, and more. Tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:How drastic funding cuts are reshaping the donor landscape and impacting innovation.Why Sian thinks it is critical to challenge the assumed benefit of AI-based solutions.Duplication and competition in AI technologies and the problems they create. Find out why donors must rethink how they allocate resources for AI and innovation.Navigating the humanitarian sector's capacity to innovate with the need for innovation. Learn about the challenges of scaling AI technologies and the barriers to adoption.The lack of investment in local AI talent and why empowering local actors is crucial.Explore how funders can help drive the development of responsible and ethical AI.Unpack how to balance the need for innovation with the risk associated with innovation.Data ownership and the idea of compensating affected communities for the data. Discover why ethical AI development and responsible data governance are essential.Uncover the hurdles that evolving regulations create and the role of global policies.How fostering collaboration and partnerships will aid in ethical and sustainable solutions.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Therese Marie Uppstrøm Pankratov on LinkedInInnovation NorwaySian White on LinkedInUK Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH) Zainah Alsamman on LinkedInGrand Challenges CanadaCreating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand ChallengeUK Humanitarian Innovation Hub | Directory of AI-enabled humanitarian projectsUK Humanitarian Innovation Hub | NewsletterHumanitarian Innovation Programme: Innovation NorwayElrhaNasim Motalebi Nasim Motalebi on LinkedIn Chris Hoffman on LinkedIn
SummaryNowhere To Go but Up: Future Trends of AI Use in the Humanitarian Sector
Mar 18, 202500:46:52Summary readyAs the humanitarian sector navigates significant transformation, AI is emerging as an essential tool, but how do we ensure it is used effectively, ethically, and at scale? In this episode of Humanitarian Frontiers in AI, we welcome Nana Gamkrelidze, Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Delegate at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Karin Maasel, CEO at Data Friendly Space and Board Chair at H2H Network, to discuss the latest AI trends in humanitarian work, the challenges of adoption, and the evolving role of technology in crisis response. In our conversation, we delve into how Europe has positioned itself as a regulatory and innovation leader, why AI adoption in humanitarian organizations is vital, and how humanitarian efforts should change to leverage AI technology effectively. Explore how funding cuts have sparked the adoption of AI, what humanitarian organizations can gain from data analytics, and how the cost of building AI for humanitarian efforts has changed. We also uncover the common barriers to AI adoption, the benefits of multi-modal AI approaches for situational awareness, data protection policies, ethical concerns, and the power of AI agents. Join us to discover how AI is reshaping the humanitarian sector, the key to its successful integration, and how to navigate the ethical and operational challenges ahead. Tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:Introduction and a warm welcome to Karin Maasel and Nana Gamkrelidze.Main takeaways from the recent AI Action Summit in Paris.Trends in AI humanitarian efforts between the Global North and Global South. Learn about the impact of global funding cuts on humanitarian efforts. Ways AI can help shift away from reactional responses by leveraging data analytics.Why humanitarian organizations need to embrace AI and data analytics.Find out what is preventing humanitarian organizations from implementing AI. How multi-modal AI approaches can help organizations address inefficiencies. Unpack the ethical concerns and risks surrounding AI in humanitarian work.Explore the pros and cons of open-source AI versus public-private partnerships.How AI agents could improve processes, reduce silos, and automate data collection.Uncover long-term adoption strategies and the future of AI in the humanitarian sector.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Karin Maasel on LinkedInData Friendly Space (DFS)H2H NetworkNana Gamkrelidze on LinkedInInternational Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)AI Action SummitUN World Food Programme (WFP)GANNETHugging FaceNasim Motalebi Nasim Motalebi on LinkedIn Chris Hoffman on LinkedInHumanity LinkChris Hoffman
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