AI for Crisis Response: Gdańsk Tech in ARES | Gdańsk University of Technology

Contemporary crises often exceed the capabilities of individual organisations, networks of organisations, or even the entire public administration (whole-of-government). They require a coordinated response involving society as a whole (whole-of-society). Effective crisis management depends not only on the efficiency of services and administration but also on situational awareness, rapid information exchange, coordinated action, and the ability to mobilise resources across society. A response understood in this way encompasses the entire crisis management cycle, from anticipation and preparedness through to response and recovery.

Under these conditions, digital transformation is becoming a key factor influencing the resilience of the state and society. On the one hand, digital technologies can streamline communication, decision-making, and coordination, while also creating new opportunities for collaboration among government bodies, businesses, civil society organisations, and citizens. On the other hand, growing reliance on technology creates new vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks, disinformation, system failures, manipulated data, or flawed AI-generated recommendations can hinder responses and even exacerbate the impact of crises.

These issues are the focus of the international research project "AI-enabled digital transformation for whole-of-society emergency response" (ARES), conducted under a cooperation agreement between the Polish Academy of Sciences and Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council.

Prof. Tomasz Janowski (Gdańsk University of Technology) and Prof. Helen K. Liu (National Taiwan University) lead the project. The team also includes Dr Grażyna Musiatowicz-Podbiał and Dr Nina Rizun from Gdańsk University of Technology, Prof. Hsien-Lee Tseng from the National University of Tainan, Prof. Kaiju Chang from National Chengchi University, and Mr Danny Breshanan from National Taiwan University.

The project aims to assess the effectiveness, inclusivity, and adaptability of digital tools - including artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions - used in crisis management. Researchers are analysing their actual impact on the state’s and society’s ability to respond to crises across diverse social and political contexts.

A central element of the research is the "whole-of-society" concept, which entails the collaboration of all key segments of society, including central and local government institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia, local communities, and individual citizens. In this context, digital transformation goes beyond the mere modernisation of public administration; it can strengthen preparedness, operational coordination, and public communication, while also facilitating the expansion of cooperation from "whole-of-government" to "whole-of-society".

A key element of the project is the exchange of experience between Poland and Taiwan. Reciprocal research visits took place during the summer months of 2026 and included on-site observations and meetings with government bodies, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, and social groups.

The first round of meetings took place in Poland from 20 to 24 July 2026. Meetings involved government administration, represented by the Ministry of Digital Affairs; local government administration, represented by the authorities of the City of Reda; and social and non-governmental organisations, including Polish Humanitarian Action, the Polish Red Cross, and the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association.

From 17 to 21 August 2026, researchers from Gdańsk University of Technology paid a return visit to Taiwan. There, they met with representatives of institutions crucial to public safety during crises, including the Ministry of the Interior, the National Fire Agency, the National Police Agency, the National Science and Technology Centre for Disaster Reduction, Taipei City Hall, and the General Association of Scouts of China (Taiwan).

The visits made it possible to compare the research perspective with the experiences of institutions directly involved in crisis management. It was particularly important to gain insight into the practical applications of digital technologies and to identify barriers hindering cooperation among public administration, the private sector, and civil society.

The collaboration will result not only in academic publications and conference presentations but also in recommendations for public institutions and civil society organisations regarding the use of digital transformation to build capacity for a joint response to crises.