Guidance and Tools

Designing and deploying AI tools to support humanitarian practice: A practical guide

In an era where data-driven tools promise to transform crisis response, the ECTO framework—Educate, Co-Create, Transfer, and Optimise—offers a holistic roadmap for humanitarians to integrate AI ethically and effectively. Dive in to explore the distinctive role of each pillar...

Technological innovation has the potential to transform humanitarian action, but its adoption must remain responsible, inclusive, and context-sensitive. The ECTO Framework, developed by the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub, provides a step-by-step approach for designing and deploying AI tools in humanitarian operations.

Structured around four pillars – Educate, Co-create, Transfer, Optimise – the framework places the participation of affected communities and the strengthening of local capacities at the heart of innovation. It draws on collaborative learning with NGOs and experts to address both ethical issues (bias, transparency, governance) and operational challenges related to AI integration.

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