CIB W120 Seminar - Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Disaster Risk Reduction: A Global Review and Empirical Insights from Australia’s Multi-Sector Adoption

Join the CIB W120: Disasters and the Built Environment online seminar, “Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Disaster Risk Reduction: A Global Review and Empirical Insights from Australia’s Multi-Sector Adoption.”

Date: Tuesday, 10th March 2025
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM AEDT
Location: Online (Zoom link will be sent upon registration)

The seminar will be delivered by Nilantha Randeniya, Doctoral researcher at the Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield.

This seminar presents findings from a collaborative research project that combines a global systematic review of more than 200 studies with empirical insights drawn from interviews across government agencies, universities, and private-sector organisations in Australia. The research highlights a striking implementation gap between sectors, revealing how institutional structures, procurement processes, infrastructure limitations, and regulatory requirements constrain the operational use of AI, despite its proven technical potential.

This work is the result of a multi-institutional research collaboration involving leading scholars in disaster resilience, construction, and governance:

• Professor Richard Haigh, Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield, whose work focuses on disaster resilience, policy integration, and international frameworks for risk reduction.

• Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga, Loughborough University, a globally recognised expert in disaster resilience, gender, and sustainable development.

• Professor Srinath Perera, Western Sydney University, specialising in construction innovation, systems thinking, and policy-oriented research.

• Dr Krisanthi Seneviratne, Western Sydney University, whose research focuses on smart construction, digital innovation, and applied sustainability.

• Dr Sameera Wijesiri Pathirana, Western Sydney University, with expertise in technology adoption, built environment systems, and applied analytics.

Speaker Bio

Nilantha Randeniya is a Doctoral Researcher at the Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield, UK. His research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence and advanced spatial analytical methods to enhance the accuracy of climate change impact prediction, particularly in the context of disaster risk reduction. He has experience in teaching and mentoring students and is attentive to the ethical and societal implications of AI in climate modelling. Nilantha is committed to translational research, bridging the gap between theory, data-driven prediction, and real-world policy and practice. He aims to contribute to resilient communities through rigorously validated models and meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations. He is also a tutor at Manchester Metropolitan University International College.