The role of artificial intelligence for early warning systems: Status, applicability, guardrails, and ways forward

Tiggeloven, T., Pfeiffer, S., Matanó, A., van den Homberg, M., Thalheimer, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3737-3586, Reichstein, M., & Torresan, S. (2025). The role of artificial intelligence for early warning systems: Status, applicability, guardrails, and ways forward. iScience 28 (11) e113689. 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113689.

[thumbnail of 1-s2.0-S2589004225019509-main.pdf]
Preview
Text
1-s2.0-S2589004225019509-main.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum in earth sciences as a tool to analyze complex natural hazards and their impacts. Such analyses are critical for effective Early Warning Systems (EWSs), which is aiming to generate timely and actionable risk information to protect sectors, systems, and people. Despite advancements in AI, its role in EWS remains underexplored across the four pillars of the Early Warning for All (EW4All) framework; risk knowledge, forecasting, warning dissemination and communication and response preparedness. This study draws on a systematic literature review to assess AI methods utilized in the context of EWS, examines their challenges and opportunities and discusses guiding questions for responsible use. Our study highlights key gaps across knowledge, application and policy. Moreover, we call for coordinated efforts to develop responsible AI frameworks that enhance EWS while ensuring they remain inclusive, accessible, and people-centred that ultimately supports the goal of EW4All by 2027.

Item Type: Article
Research Programs: Population and Just Societies (POPJUS)
Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) > Migration and Sustainable Development (MIG)
Depositing User: Luke Kirwan
Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2025 10:13
Last Modified: 19 Nov 2025 10:13
URI: https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/21000

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item