International Red Cross sets guidelines for AI use

The ICRC’s approach prioritises ethical standards, focusing on humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has introduced principles for using AI in its operations, aiming to harness the technology’s benefits while protecting vulnerable populations. The guidelines, unveiled in late November, reflect the organisation’s cautious approach amid growing interest in generative AI, such as ChatGPT, across various sectors.

ICRC delegate Philippe Stoll emphasised the importance of ensuring AI tools are robust and reliable to avoid unintended harm in high-stakes humanitarian contexts. The ICRC defines AI broadly as systems that perform tasks requiring human-like cognition and reasoning, extending beyond popular large language models.

Guided by its core principles of humanity, neutrality, and independence, the ICRC prioritises data protection and insists that AI tools address real needs rather than seeking problems to solve. That approach stems from the risks posed by deploying technologies in regions poorly represented in AI training data, as highlighted by a 2022 cyberattack that exposed sensitive beneficiary information.

Collaboration with academia is central to the ICRC’s strategy. Partnerships like the Meditron project with Switzerland’s EPFL focus on AI for clinical decision-making and logistics. These initiatives aim to improve supply chain management and enhance field operations while aligning with the organisation’s principles.

Despite interest in AI’s potential, Stoll cautioned against using off-the-shelf tools unsuited to specific local challenges, underscoring the need for adaptability and responsible innovation in humanitarian work.