In an era where disasters are striking with increasing frequency and intensity, SmartAID brought together some of the world’s brightest minds in humanitarian response and technology for the DisasterTech Conference at the Hilton Osaka, Japan. The one-day event convened leaders from Microsoft, Google, Tokyo University, LINE Yahoo! Communication, Netafim, and many other organizations to explore how AI, data-driven insights, and cutting-edge innovations can transform the way the world prepares for and responds to crises.

The conference featured high-impact sessions on topics ranging from AI-driven humanitarian intelligence to linking early warnings with immediate lifesaving actions. Discussions examined how emerging technologies can accelerate disaster prevention, improve coordination, and strengthen support for vulnerable communities.

Conference Highlights included:

• Humanitarian Intelligence: How AI is Reshaping Humanitarian Response – Tomer Simon, Chief Scientist, Microsoft Israel R&D Center, explored AI’s role in improving the speed and effectiveness of disaster operations.
  
  
• Predict, Prepare, Prevent: Technology for Disaster Preparedness – Insights from Prof. Yoshihide Sekimoto (Tokyo University), Mr. Koji Hiratsuka (Navicom Aviation), and Mr. Avrom Salsberg (Google Search and Gemini) on innovative preparedness solutions.
  
  
• New Strategies for Strengthening Immediate Disaster Response – From drones to clean energy solutions, panelists including Kazuaki Fujii (FlyingLabs Japan), Will Heegaard (Footprint Project), and Sakiko Kanbara (Kobe City College of Nursing) shared rapid-response innovations.

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Linking Early Warnings to Early Actions – Collaborative approaches from the Japanese Red Cross Society, Naha City Disaster Risk Management Division, and LINE Yahoo! Communications to turn alerts into immediate aid.

• Technology for Vulnerable Communities – Speakers from STEMpower, SmartAID, and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies discussed tech-driven solutions for people with disabilities, remote populations, and women during disasters.
  
  
• Lessons Learned from Japan’s Great East Earthquake – Israeli and Japanese experts revisited the 2011 disaster response and presented breakthrough relief tools for today’s challenges.

The event also featured an exhibition of breakthrough disaster preparedness technologies from innovators including Astrotech, Elsight, Navicom Aviation, Hystrix, Intuition Robotics, and Watergen.

“Today at the DisasterTech Conference in Osaka, we came together from across the world as a force for good, united by a shared mission: to transform how the world responds to crisis and natural disasters. Together, we can deliver life-saving aid to disaster zones, powered by innovation, leveraged by technology and driven by compassion towards those who need us the most. When we act together as a global community, there’s no limit to what we can do.” said Mrs. Alethea Gold OAM, Chairperson, SmartAID Australia.

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The event marks an important step in deepening collaboration between global humanitarian innovators, NGOs and the government globally. SmartAID is proud to have brought the global conversation on disaster technology together in Osaka and to lead this worldwide movement—driving partnerships, inspiring collaboration, and delivering innovations that will redefine disaster preparedness and response for a safer, more resilient future.

The conference was supported by the Embassy of Israel in Japan and was organized as part of the Israel Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai.

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