IATI joins Humanitarian AI Today podcast to discuss open data and AI
IATI Executive Director Yemesrach Workie joined the Humanitarian AI Today podcast to discuss the growing importance of open data in the AI era.
Hosted by Brent O. Phillips, the conversation explored how AI is changing the way people access, analyse and use development and humanitarian information. It also looked at IATI's role in improving transparency across development and humanitarian finance.
Stream or download the episode today across platforms including Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud
During the discussion, the IATI Executive Director highlighted the role of open, standardised and machine-readable data in supporting the use of AI. She discussed the importance of data quality, transparency and interoperability in helping users make informed decisions from development and humanitarian information.
The conversation also explored how AI could help users navigate and analyse large volumes of data accross multiple sources. As interest in AI technologies grows, open and interoperable data remains essential for improving access to information and supporting effective decision-making.
The discussion reflected key priorities in IATI's Strategic Plan 2026-2030, which aims to make development and humanitarian data more useful for decision-makers. The plan also recognises the role that AI and other emerging technologies can play when supported by strong, interoperable data systems.
IATI is one of the world's largest sources of open data on development and humanitarian finance. More than 2,000 organisations publish data using the IATI Standard, including governments, multilateral organisations, development finance institutions, philanthropic foundations, United Nations agencies and civil society organisations. Together, they have published information on nearly one million development and humanitarian activities, representing more than USD 3.9 trillion in spending. By publishing data through a common standard, IATI helps governments, development partners and civil society understand where resources are going and what they support.
Watch the video trailer and listen to the full conversation with Humanitarian AI Today.