Artificial Intelligence: Uses, Tensions, and Issues

No. 32 – July 2026: “Artificial intelligence: uses, tensions, and issues”

A feature/focus co-edited by Pierre Gallien – Director, Innovation, Impact & Information at Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion, member of the editorial board of Alternatives Humanitaires – and Boris Martin, the review’s editor-in-chief

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer knocking at the door of the humanitarian sector: it has already made its way into offices, the field, and thus into the daily practices of aid organizations. These uses, which were still discreet until recently, have become commonplace at a speed that leaves little room for critical reflection. And that is precisely why we must address them.

As in most sectors of our societies, whether for-profit or not, this acceleration raises a question that is as simple as it is uncomfortable: are we allowing ourselves to be swept away by a technological wave whose direction and consequences we do not control, or will we succeed in collectively building a responsible use of AI? For while AI promises undeniable efficiency gains, it is simultaneously transforming the contexts in which solidarity actors operate, the way they do so, and the very foundations of their relationship to reality, to decision-making, and to the people they serve.

The journal Humanitarian Alternatives is dedicating its next issue to this turning point brought about by the emergence of this technology. Obviously, this is not a question of giving in to technophile enthusiasm or fueling sterile resistance to change. It is a question of taking stock of a transformation that is already affecting organizations, professions, principles, and responsibilities specific to the aid sector in an exercise of critical reflection. We are therefore calling for contributions on three key themes, which together form a framework for understanding this ongoing (r)evolution.

As with every issue of the journal, this issue will feature a variety of formats and approaches in order to bring together different perspectives and enrich the collective debate. We are looking for contributions that combine analytical rigor with a grounding in the realities of the field, that document concrete experiences while offering generalizations, and that ask uncomfortable questions without sacrificing nuance. Multidisciplinary approaches—international humanitarian law, applied ethics, political science, organizational sociology, critical technology studies—are particularly welcome. Feedback from humanitarian organizations that have experimented with AI is another priority category. Whether they involve successes, failures, unresolved tensions, or ethical dilemmas, these documented and reflective testimonials are invaluable. We are looking for contributions that embrace complexity, recognize limitations as well as benefits, and share lessons learned rather than polished narratives for communication purposes.

Analyses of regulatory and governance frameworks are also welcome. How do states, international organizations, and donors regulate (or not) the use of AI in humanitarian action? What standards are emerging? What gaps remain? How can technological innovation be reconciled with respect for humanitarian principles, personal data protection, and accountability?

Finally, forward-looking and critical contributions are also welcome. Where are we headed? What futures are desirable, and which should be avoided? How can we collectively build artificial intelligence that serves humanity, rather than the other way around? To be fruitful, these reflections must be rooted in a detailed knowledge of the humanitarian sector and avoid hasty generalizations or prophecies that are disconnected from reality.

This entry was posted in Call for Contributions, Issue 32 – July 2026 on January 15, 2026.