5th August 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us on 5 August 2025 for the online launch of our AI adoption and aspirations in the humanitarian sector research report, a partnership between the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Data Friendly Space.
We were delighted by the global engagement in this event, with 739 attendees joining from 91 countries. Access the recording and slide deck below. Frequently asked questions from the Q&A session will be added to this page.
Event description
Join us to discover key insights from this first-of-its-kind global study, based on responses from over 2.5k humanitarian professionals across 140+ countries and territories. You’ll hear from a panel of practitioners and experts who will share their experiences and perspectives on the findings, followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Why attend?
This is your opportunity to be among the first to explore findings from the largest global study on AI in the humanitarian sector. You’ll gain insight into how humanitarians are using AI, how organisations are responding to the challenges and opportunities emerging. Take part in a growing global conversation on ethical, practical and locally grounded uses of AI in humanitarian work.
Who is it for?
This event is open to anyone with an interest in this space – including humanitarian practitioners, policymakers, funders, researchers, technologists and government actors.
Attendees will be able to interact using the chat function and submit questions for the Q&A session.
Speakers
- Project co-leads Ka Man Parkinson, Communications and Marketing Specialist and Lucy Hall, Data and Evidence Specialist from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, and Madigan Johnson, Head of Communications at Data Friendly Space (DFS)
- Expert panellists Dr Cornelia C. Walther, Humanitarian leader and senior fellow, University of Pennsylvania/Wharton School, C. Douglas Smith from Data Friendly Space, and Ali Al Mokdad, senior strategic humanitarian leader (independent).
About the speakers
Lucy Hall, Data and Evidence Specialist, Humanitarian Leadership Academy
Lucy Hall is a data and evidence strategist working at the intersection of humanitarian action, locally led innovation, and ethical AI. Her work focuses on turning complex information into meaningful insights, enabling systems change, and building tools that amplify the voices and leadership of communities closest to crisis. With a background in humanitarian response, she brings a sharp lens to equity, power, and evidence — championing approaches that move beyond theory into action. Lucy is currently exploring how AI can be made accessible, responsible, and genuinely useful in low-resource and crisis-affected settings. She believes innovation must be grounded in trust, local ownership, and real-world utility — not just governance frameworks or flashy tech — and she designs sessions and strategies that reflect this ethos.
Madigan Johnson, Head of Communications, Data Friendly Space (DFS)
Madigan Johnson is a digital expert specializing in user behaviour and research, design, and storytelling. Following her Master’s in International Humanitarian Action through the NOHA network, Madigan pivoted to the private tech sector, where she has worked in both digital agencies and startups. Throughout her journey in tech, Madigan has maintained her commitment to creating meaningful impact, expertly leveraging user-led methodologies and data analytics to shape exceptional digital experiences. Today, as Head of Communications at Data Friendly Space (DFS), she brings her expertise in digital technology, content strategy, and community engagement to the frontier of humanitarian AI innovation. At DFS, Madigan leads strategic communications for AI-powered tools designed to support humanitarian decision-making. Her work focuses on building trust in AI systems through transparent storytelling, ethical framing, and inclusive community engagement. She is particularly passionate about demystifying complex technologies and crafting narratives that foster confidence and clarity around AI’s role in sensitive humanitarian contexts.
Ka Man Parkinson, Communications and Marketing Specialist, Humanitarian Leadership Academy
Ka Man Parkinson is a creative and strategic communications leader with 20 years of experience driving international marketing and communications across the nonprofit space. Ka Man led impactful campaigns for the British Council and UK higher education institutions before joining the HLA in 2022. Ka Man is passionate about creating meaningful change through compelling storytelling that informs, connects and inspires global communities. In her role at the HLA, she helps to drive and shape a collaborative culture of thought leadership by creating spaces for connection and sharing, and amplifying voices from across the sector. Ka Man completed a joint honours degree in Management and IT in the era of dial-up internet – and remains a constant, curious observer of systems, people and technological change.
Dr Cornelia C. Walther, Humanitarian leader and senior fellow, University of Pennsylvania/Wharton School
Cornelia C. Walther, PhD, is a thought catalyst in hybrid intelligence and prosocial AI. Her scope combines theory and practice. As a humanitarian practitioner, she worked with the United Nations for two decades in large-scale emergencies in West Africa, Asia, and Latin America, focusing on hybrid advocacy and social and behavioral change. She collaborates with universities across the Americas and Europe as a lecturer, executive coach, and researcher. She is presently a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine and the Wharton Initiative for Neuroscience (WiN)/Wharton AI and Analytics. She is affiliated with MindCORE and the Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2021, her focus has been on aspirational algorithms and the potential to harness technology for social good; briefly, she has said artificial intelligence for inspired action (AI4IA). In 2017, she initiated POZE (Perspective – Optimization – Zeniths – Exposure) in Haiti, which has since grown into a global transdisciplinary network of like-minded researchers and practitioners committed to inclusive social change.
Ali Al Mokdad, Strategic senior humanitarian leader, independent
Ali Al Mokdad is a Strategic Senior Leader specializing in Global Impact Operations, Governance, and Innovative Programming. With a global footprint across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, he has led complex humanitarian and development responses through senior roles in INGOs, UN agencies, donor institutions, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Ali held the role of AI Co-Lead at NetHope, where he also led work on AI integration and AI strategy for business operations, delivering targeted trainings for leaders. He also authored in-depth research on the future of governance, “Inclusive and Intelligent Governance: Enabling Sustainability Through Policy and Technology,” published by IGI Global Scientific Publications.
Ali is known for driving operational excellence, advancing inclusive governance, and designing people-centered systems that hold both purpose and impact at their core.
C. Douglas Smith, Acting CEO, Data Friendly Space
C. Douglas Smith is the Acting CEO of Data Friendly Space and a cross-sector executive with experience spanning private enterprise, government relations, and non-profit leadership. Having previously testified before Congress on key policy issues, he has also served as CEO, lobbyist, and startup consultant. Doug brings a unique perspective on AI adoption across different contexts and their strategic implications for social impact organizations and policy development.
Contact us
Humanitarian Leadership Academy
info@humanitarian.academy
Data Friendly Space
hello@datafriendlyspace.org