Artificial Intelligence in Providing Psychosocial Support in Natural Hazards: A Semi-Systematic Literature Review

In an era of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, the need for effective disaster support is critical. AI technologies offer a transformative approach to disaster support. This study explores the innovative use of AI technologies in providing psychosocial support in natural disasters. Employing a semi-systematic literature analysis, a four-step process was used to evaluate and select 18 relevant articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. These articles were analyzed for their focus on AI’s role in disaster support, including the types of AI used, phases of disaster management, and implementation challenges. The research highlights AI’s application via social media platforms and other tools, identifies the types of AI used in disaster support, and discusses challenges in implementation. The findings suggest incorporating AI-based training and tools into the curriculum for social workers and mental health professionals. At the policy level, this research underscores the need for governments and disaster response agencies to integrate AI-driven psychosocial support systems into their disaster management strategies. In practice, implementing AI-powered psychosocial support can significantly enhance the capacity of relief organizations to provide timely and targeted assistance, ultimately improving the mental well-being and resilience of disaster-affected communities.