Mafraq: A national center for artificial intelligence in disaster management was proposed at the Fourth International Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Disaster Response: Innovations and Strategies (AIDR 2025), hosted by Al al-Bayt University's Center for Modeling and Simulation for Risk Analysis. The proposed center would focus on data collection and predictive model development, facilitating coordination between the Ministries of Health, Water, Civil Defense, and Meteorology, along with local specialists and international collaborations.
According to Jordan News Agency, the conference also recommended the development of an early warning system using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery analysis to address floods and excessive rains, specifically in the Jordan Valley and surrounding regions. This system aims to enhance national early warning capabilities by connecting with media outlets and cell phones to provide real-time notifications to citizens. Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence to predict droughts and shifts in water resources, particularly in Mafraq and the Jordan Valley, was suggested.
The conference called for the creation of a national earthquake database to predict seismic activity and support the development of plans for equitable water distribution during emergencies. It also advocated for mapping vulnerable buildings and infrastructure to prioritize reinforcements. A statement from the conference emphasized the need for an AI system to analyze hospital and health center data to forecast illness outbreaks and assist the Ministry of Health in emergency preparedness.
Further recommendations included enhancing national capabilities by offering courses on artificial intelligence and disaster management in Jordanian colleges and training civil defense and municipal staff in the use of drones, robotics, and intelligent software. The establishment of a national fund to stimulate innovation in AI-based disaster management, along with financial and logistical support, was also highlighted.
The conference underscored the importance of ensuring transparency, security, and non-discrimination in AI systems. It emphasized the need to strengthen ties with Arab research centers in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and to form partnerships with the European Union and United Nations organizations to fund AI projects in disaster management. The implementation of national legislation to regulate the use of citizen data in disaster situations and the establishment of a mechanism to periodically review AI and early warning systems were also discussed. An annual report on Jordan's progress in AI for disaster management is to be released.
The conference was attended by numerous academics and researchers from various universities, experts from the Royal Jordanian Geographical Center, and other Jordanian experts.