AI for Peace Weekly Insights

We’re excited to bring you our brand-new feature: AI for Peace Weekly Insights! Each week, we’ll share updates, trends, and key developments at the intersection of AI and peace, offering fresh perspectives on both risks and opportunities to inspire action and spark meaningful dialogue within our community of practice.

Have news to share or insights to add? Drop us a comment—we’d love to hear from you!

Conflict Watchlist 2025 by ACLED

ACLED's Conflict Watchlist highlights 10 crisis areas expected to evolve in the coming year, either positively or negatively. Rather than merely identifying violent hotspots, the Watchlist delves into some of the world's most complex crises. As 2025 begins, numerous intractable conflicts remain, but the selected cases reflect broader trends identified through ACLED's Conflict Index. Read more

Can AI forecasts improve crisis response? With Hannes Mueller and Margherita Philipp interviewed by Tim Phillips?

Recorded at the CEPR Paris Symposium. In the first of a series of episodes from CEPR’s annual festival of new research, we ask: can artificial intelligence help agencies and governments cope with natural disasters, by making it more practical to take anticipatory action? The topic is the subject of a new policy insight from CEPR, and Tim Phillips speaks to two of the authors: Margherita Philipp and Hannes Mueller about the potential and problems of AI-driven expert systems that can predict where disasters might happen. Read more

Digital technologies in the global humanitarian sector: A case study of Ukraine

The article critically examines the potential side effects and risks of using digital technologies in the humanitarian sector, particularly when employed hastily or without structure during crises. This approach, endorsed by the humanitarian community and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is grounded in literature, reports, and interviews with practitioners. Key findings highlight unresolved gaps in legal, management, and ethical frameworks, including accountability issues critical to professional operations in the sector. Using the crisis in Ukraine as a case study, the paper explores how new digital experiences can enhance the sector’s ability to learn and adapt for future emergencies. Read more here

Announcing Just Security’s Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Initiative

The AIET Initiative aims to provide rigorous analysis on the impact of rapidly advancing technology for security, democracy, foreign policy, and rights. In an effort to foster dialogue between the technology and policymaking communities, Just Security, in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, will launch AIET with a high-level speaker series bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and academic experts to develop critical insights for shaping a secure digital future. Read more here

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Announcing AI Negotiation Gateway

This Open Access Platform introduces the transformative power of AI in negotiation, guiding participants in crafting their own AI assistant to navigate complex negotiations. Proposed free activities include the following live and recorded sessions as well as community platform to connect with negotiation practitioners and machine learning experts, offering exciting opportunities for collaboration! Read more

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Why Meta’s Fact-Checking Change Could Lead to More Misinformation on Facebook and Instagram

Meta is shifting from its traditional fact-checking program to a crowdsourced model that prioritizes "free expression" just under two weeks before Donald Trump’s reinstatement as President. This change, which affects Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has sparked controversy over its impact on misinformation and hate speech. Previously, Meta funded fact-checking to review content, but the move comes after Republicans criticized the fact-checking efforts for targeting right-wing voices. Last year, Trump warned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg against interfering with the 2024 election. Read more here

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Germany sees rise in far-right crime with online offences as main driver

Far-right crime surged in Germany in 2024, driven by online offenses and hate speech, a government spokesperson said Monday. By November 30, 33,963 cases were recorded, up from 28,945 in 2023. The increase reflects a rise in expression and propaganda crimes, partly due to stricter monitoring, the spokesperson added, calling the figures "alarming." Read more

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DHS Unveils Playbook for the Deployment of Artificial Intelligence by the Public Sector

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a "Playbook for Public Sector AI Deployment" to guide government officials in using generative AI (GenAI) responsibly and effectively. It outlines actionable steps, best practices, and examples from DHS's experience to enhance service delivery and build strong AI foundations. Read more

This weekly review aims to spark dialogue and inspire the AI for Peace community of practice to continue advancing their efforts toward lasting peace. Visit our website to explore more resources, insights, and opportunities to engage with our work— www.aiforpeace.org

If we’ve missed any significant developments, let us know! Share your top news from last week in the comments, including a link—we’re always eager to stay updated on the latest trends and insights.

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