Digital Humanitarians (Paperback)

Patrick Meier

ISBN 10: 1482248395 / ISBN 13: 9781482248395

Published by Apple Academic Press Inc., Oakville, 2015

About this Item

Paperback. The overflow of information generated during disasters can be as paralyzing to humanitarian response as the lack of information. This flash flood of informationsocial media, satellite imagery and moreis often referred to as Big Data. Making sense of this data deluge during disasters is proving an impossible challenge for traditional humanitarian organizations, which explains why theyre turning to Digital Humanitarians. Who exactly are these Digital Humanitarians and how do they make sense of Big Data? Digital Humanitarians: How Big Data Is Changing the Face of Humanitarian Response answers this question. Digital Humanitarians are you, me, all of usvolunteers, students and professionals from the world over and from all walks of life. What do they share in common? They desire to make a difference, and they do by rapidly mobilizing online in collaboration with international humanitarian organizations. In virtually real-time, they make sense of vast volumes of social media, SMS and imagery captured from satellites and UAVs to support relief efforts worldwide. How? They craft and leverage ingenious crowdsourcing solutions with trail-blazing insights from artificial intelligence. This book charts the sudden and spectacular rise of Digital Humanitarians by sharing their remarkable, real-life stories, highlighting how their humanity coupled with innovative solutions to Big Data is changing humanitarian response forever. Digital Humanitarians will make you think differently about what it means to be humanitarian and will invite you to join the journey online. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781482248395

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Digital Humanitarians (Paperback)
• Publisher: Apple Academic Press Inc., Oakville
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1482248395
• ISBN 13: 9781482248395
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

The overflow of information generated during disasters can be as paralyzing to humanitarian response as the lack of information. Making sense of this information--Big Data--is proving an impossible challenge for traditional humanitarian organizations, which is precisely why they're turning to Digital Humanitarians. This new humanitarians mobilize online to make sense of vast volumes of data--social media and text messages; satellite and aerial imagery--in direct support of relief efforts worldwide. How? They craft ingenious crowdsourcing solutions with trail-blazing insights from artificial intelligence. This book charts the spectacular rise of Digital Humanitarians, highlighting how their humanity coupled with innovative Big Data solutions is changing humanitarian relief for forever.

Praise for the book:
... examines how new uses of technology and vast quantities of digital data are transforming the way societies prepare for, respond to, cope with, and ultimately understand humanitarian disasters. --Dr. Enzo Bollettino, Executive Director, The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University
... explains the strengths and potential weaknesses of using big data and crowdsourced analytics in crisis situations. It is at once a deeply personal and intellectually satisfying book.--Professor Steven Livingston, Professor of Media & Public and International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University

About the Author

Patrick Meier