Generative AI aiding quake relief in Kumamoto

KUMAMOTO – Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized to aid relief efforts in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture. However, AI has also been employed to create fake videos and misinformation on social media platforms, showcasing both the benefits and risks of the technology. Misato Kaetsu, a 38-year-old resident of Mifune town, used generative AI to develop an online information board while staying at an evacuation center.

This platform allows those affected by the earthquake, which registered up to shindo 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, to share local information, such as the locations of reopened stores and emergency feeding centers. The service was launched just hours after the idea was conceived and has already been accessed by over 160,000 people, helping them rebuild their lives.

Disaster response teams within local governments are also leveraging AI to create meeting minutes and explanatory materials, reducing their workload and allowing them to focus on more critical tasks. Nonetheless, AI's capabilities have evolved significantly in recent years, raising concerns about the potential for misuse and the generation of false information.

Professor Isao Echizen of the National Institute of Informatics warns that while AI's accuracy and convenience have improved, there is still a risk of generating incorrect answers and that it can be difficult to determine if an image has been created using AI. Therefore, it is crucial to verify the reliability of sources when encountering AI-generated content in times of natural disasters.