Navigating chaos: AI in Ukraine’s war and lessons learnt
The war in Ukraine is being fought in the digital realm too. Amidst its shadows, the country is swiftly harnessing its extensive data reservoirs for civilian necessities. AI-powered solutions are showcasing their prowess in the most challenging conditions, making the lives of weary citizens more bearable. Businesses are drawing valuable lessons from these experiences.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- how technology companies have stepped up to support Ukraine.
- how data has emerged as a vital resource in managing crises.
- how AI solutions are effectively managing large volumes of data.
- how businesses are learning valuable lessons in data management from the situation in Ukraine.
- how to prepare systems to fully leverage the potential of AI.
War has historically served as a catalyst for innovation. From GPS and the Internet to microwave ovens and composites, a plethora of advanced technologies has revolutionized the way wars are waged and has left a lasting impact on society. Military competition spurs innovation, leading to advancements that permeate various aspects of life and technology. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is testament to this trend.
Fintechs are stepping up to offer assistance
In interviews, Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, reminisces about his urgent appeal to Europe for support following the Russian invasion. Recognizing the pressing need for assistance, Kiev swiftly seized the opportunity to nurture its burgeoning technology sector. Thirty-three-year-old Fedorov and his team embarked on a mission to position Ukraine’s battlefields as crucibles for cutting-edge military technologies. “We envision Ukraine as a global hub for research and development,” Fedorov said.
Their efforts were successful. Numerous Ukrainian entities, including the defense, economy, and education ministries, have adopted Palantir products. This technology firm is bolstering Ukraine’s war endeavors through comprehensive big data analytics. Meanwhile, industry titans like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Starlink are aiding in the transition of crucial government data to the cloud and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across the nation. Additionally, smaller U.S. and European enterprises have established a lasting presence in Kiev, contributing to the country’s technological advancement.
Focus (again) on data
“Everybody could have the same AI engine. The only differentiator now is how good the data inputs that you have are” – says Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly, a leading company in the professional drone industry. He asserts that data serves as a foundational asset for governments and local administrations. Chell argues that only with access to accurate data can politicians and local government officials make informed decisions and effectively address the needs of citizens.
The Ukrainian administration strategizes and executes activities and public services based on data. While officials have access to extensive data, they encounter challenges with integration and consistency. Information resides in disparate sources, frequently unrelated to one another. To unlock the complete potential of this data, public administrations require both the technology and processes to amalgamate, analyze, and leverage scattered data effectively. Similarly, businesses grapple with data silos, highlighting the universal need for streamlined data management practices. We detailed this process in our article on automating data acquisition from various sources.
AI thrives in a sea of data
Foreign information technologies and innovative methodologies have emerged as viable solutions, with growing applications in security and crisis management sectors. Below are instances illustrating the utilization of AI-driven tools in civil protection, infrastructure rehabilitation, and crisis management endeavors
1. Ministry of Education
Navigation dashboards featuring satellite maps provide real-time information on various aspects during emergencies. These include identifying schools affected by air raid alerts or power outages, assessing road conditions, and estimating the time required for students to reach a shelter with WI-FI available. Palantir’s software aids the ministry in maintaining facility operations, optimizing the distribution of laptops, and ensuring connectivity in conflict zones.
2. Ministry of Economy
In collaboration with Palantir, the ministry is pioneering the development of land demining models aimed at maximizing efficiency and resource utilization. Leveraging AI-based software, these models generate strategic plans to demine up to 80% of land and restore it for economic use within a decade.
3. Ministry of Home Affairs
Clearview has made its software available to 1,500 officials across 18 Ukrainian agencies. This tool has proven instrumental in identifying over 230,000 Russian soldiers involved in the military invasion. Furthermore, it facilitated the correlation of these individuals with evidence gathered in war crimes investigations.
4. BRINC company
It has developed “Lemur” drones, which are deployed by US law enforcement during “active shooter” incidents. In Ukraine, these drones play a critical role in searching for survivors following rocket attacks.
Lessons learnt from Ukrainian data management
When integrating databases with AI tools, several crucial factors come into play. Ukrainian examples offer valuable insights to ponder. Initiating the process begins with establishing clear business objectives. Companies must articulate what they aim to accomplish by harnessing AI for data management support. This step enables the selection of AI tools and algorithms that align best with the data’s characteristics and the intricacies of the business.
The next step involves ensuring the quality of the data upon which AI-assisted systems will operate. Clean, consistent, and accurate data forms the bedrock of efficient AI-based solutions. It’s imperative to establish all data sources and define data quality parameters. We delved deeper into this subject in our article on data hygiene.
Automated data collection and management: a task reserved for experts
Managing large data sets and AI implementations often requires advanced knowledge and analytical experience. It’s worth enlisting the help of experts, because in addition to knowledge, they offer a fresh perspective and approach to your company’s challenges.
If you’re looking to maximize your data potential or streamline data collection and management through automation, reach out to us. Let’s explore how we can assist you in achieving your goals.