The United Nations is increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle challenges ranging from education and healthcare to climate change, disaster response and human rights.
Across UN agencies, AI-powered tools are helping communities access essential services, identify health risks faster and respond to environmental threats while the organisation works to promote responsible and inclusive AI governance.
For children with disabilities, AI is helping make education more accessible. In Jamaica, six-year-old Ari, who has learning difficulties, can now use textbooks converted into interactive formats tailored to his needs.
UNICEF’s Accessible Digital Textbooks for All initiative uses AI-assisted technology to improve access to learning materials for children with disabilities. The programme is currently operating in 17 countries and reaching nearly two million children, with plans to expand to 50 countries by 2030.
AI is also being used to address climate change. The UN Environment Programme’s Methane Alert and Response System uses satellite data and AI to identify major methane leaks and notify governments and companies.
Since its launch in 2024, the system has analysed information from 30 satellites, issued around 7,500 alerts and contributed to 42 mitigation actions. The technology has helped prevent methane emissions equivalent to those produced by approximately 24 million gas-powered cars.
In healthcare, AI is helping countries improve tuberculosis screening. With support from the World Health Organization, computer-aided detection technology can analyse chest X-rays and identify signs of TB more quickly, particularly in areas where specialist medical staff are limited.
The technology is being used in countries such as Ethiopia, where gold miners face elevated TB risks linked to dust and silica exposure. Faster diagnosis can allow patients to begin treatment sooner while helping reduce transmission within communities.
Beyond education, healthcare and climate action, UN agencies are applying AI to a growing range of humanitarian and security challenges. These include detecting land mines, assessing disaster damage, identifying suspicious financial transactions, monitoring radioactive contamination and supporting nuclear fusion research.
The growing use of AI also highlights the need for strong safeguards. The UN has stressed that technological progress must be accompanied by principles of equity, human rights, ethics and inclusive oversight.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into global development and humanitarian work, the UN’s approach is focused on ensuring that the technology remains a tool for advancing human wellbeing rather than creating new threats to peace, democracy and fundamental rights.
