Use of AI for Post-conflict EIAs: Exploring Needs, Risks, and Opportunities

Carl Bruch, Environmental Law Institute (United States)

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) provides an important means for informing decisions regarding development projects and engaging affected communities and other stakeholders. Post-conflict recovery present particular challenges for EIAs. The sheer scope and number of projects that require EIAs is overwhelming, and countries have neither the capacity to prepare nor review EIAs for every project that would otherwise require it. Since the development of EIA, countries and funders (which often have their own EIA requirements) have struggled with how to navigate post-conflict EIAs. Artificial intelligence (AI) presents opportunities to support the development and review of EIAs, particularly for lower-risk projects. This presentation explores—and seeks feedback on—opportunities and risks of using AI to support the development and reviews of EIAs in post-conflict settings. It proposes measures to manage identified risks related to the use of AI.