Digital technologies and data have gained a tremendous importance in today’s world. An increasing number of processes (decision making, communication, consultation, commerce, law enforcement, etc) heavily rely on digital at every level of society (government, businesses, individual, communities, civil society). This evolution led to an increased exposure to a series of new risks, related in particular to cyber-security, over-reliance on a limited number of digital technology suppliers and surveillance.

In this context, humanitarian organizations must strive to improve their cybersecurity, to maintain their technological independence and their capacity to continue using digital services despite this sphere being increasingly pervaded by the tensions generated by armed conflict. Most importantly, they must integrate such risks in their assessment of civilian population vulnerabilities and needs, in order to be able to better serve them.

In order to do so, humanitarian staff must better understand cybersecurity, both from an organizational and from a geopolitical perspective. They must also be aware of the stakes related to the digital supply chain and its consequences on people and on humanitarian operations. 

Course Content:

The goal of this MOOC is to equip humanitarian staff with this knowledge,  allowing them to better engage in developing, integrating, and evaluating actions in the “digital” area as an essential condition to ensure the success of digital transformation. This training will contribute to preparing its workforce to an organization which, transformed or not, is and will increasingly be an active stakeholder in cyberspace.

Course Format:

This program is in production. Please stay tuned if you are interested in learning more about the course.

Overview

Data science is regarded as an enabler for data-driven decision making in industrial and – increasingly – public sector and non-profit organizations. However, its impact is often limited due to:

• A lack of professional expertise in this emerging field.
• Misalignment of AI expectations among executives, leading to missed opportunities and reputation risks.

But how should an organization start to become data-driven? What are the best practices for implementing data science models that benefit the entire organization? And how to negotiate executive buy-in for data science initiatives?

Course Content:

This short course focuses on achieving impact and innovation with data science. It features theoretical lectures on selected applications of data science (e.g. natural language processing and explainable AI) and practical lectures on leveraging data science within a business context (project management, impact evaluation, performance metrics, stakeholder management).

Objectives:

• Understand the foundational principles and techniques of data science within the broader context of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, including deep learning applications
• Learn to objectively assess complexity and scalability of AI use cases
• Acquire the tools to manage AI projects from scoping to Minimum Viable Product (MVP) solution deployment
• Explore real-world applications through hands-on machine learning assignments and discover concrete data science applications
• Connect and share experiences with other professionals in the humanitarian sector.

Format:
The course will run as a four-day block module at ICRC headquarters in Geneva (with the possibility for remote participation).