LSE MSc students report on AI usage of humanitarian organisations for knowledge management
Master students of the LSE Department of International Development compiled a report on the usage of artificial intelligence for research, information processing and knowledge management by humanitarian organisations.
The report was compiled for ACCORD as part of a consultancy project offered by the Department of International Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
The scope of this report is deliberately focused: it examines internal research functions, including document summarisation, metadata tagging, translation support, and database management, and excludes operational AI applications such as logistics or aid distribution.
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The research employs a mixed methodology combining desk-based research with semi-structured interviews. The desk-based review draws on academic literature, AI policy documents and strategy papers from humanitarian organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely between December 2025 and March 2026 with representatives from organisations including CARE International UK, UNESCO, European Policy Centre and UNDP, as well as specialists in AI governance and humanitarian action.
The report also contains AI policy recommendations.
- Edwards, Archie; Cryan, Naomi; Ali-Asghar-Lokhandwala, Zahra (LSE Department of International Development): How are humanitarian organisations using AI for research, information managment, and knowledge processing?, 2026
https://www.ecoi.net/site/assets/files/7951/lse-consultancy_paper-accord-humanitarian_ai_use_2026.pdf
