What if one of the most urgent needs in a humanitarian crisis isn’t food, shelter or a job, but access to reliable information? 

As millions of people are forced to flee conflict and uncertainty, navigating unfamiliar legal, administrative and social systems can be overwhelming. In times of crisis, access to trusted information can make all the difference. In Switzerland, researchers are exploring how digital tools and artificial intelligence can help refugees find answers, access support and make informed decisions. But how can technology be designed responsibly for vulnerable populations? And what does it take to build tools that people can truly trust?

In the episode of HEC Podcast Series Research that Acts, I explore how digital innovation can help meet refugees’ most pressing needs while raising important questions about trust, ethics and the future of humanitarian technology. 

Credit: HEC Outreach