Imagine a future where technology not only transforms lives but also saves them. AI is poised to revolutionize landmine removal efforts, promising to make the process faster, more efficient, and safer. Andro Mathewson of The HALO Trust, an NGO committed to clearing landmines, believes AI could be a game-changer in their mission. This groundbreaking technology offers the potential to save time, reduce costs, and most importantly, save lives. As we harness the power of AI, the dream of a landmine-free world becomes increasingly achievable, paving the way for safer, thriving communities.

Landmines are an issue that affects almost 60 countries at the moment, and they are being demolished in other locations more quickly than they are being buried in combat zones like Ukraine. Landmines are inexpensive to make, have a lengthy explosive life, and require a lot of effort and time to locate and deactivate. They become particularly dangerous remnants of war because of this. At least 4710 persons were killed or injured by landmines and other unexploded devices in 2022; 85% of the casualties were civilians. Sadly, children made up half of these civilian casualties.

DeskAId is an artificial intelligence tool created by Martin Jebens and his colleagues at the International Committee of the Red Cross. This tool locates potential landmine locations using satellite imagery. It accomplishes this by looking at the locations of highways, buildings, and medical facilities as well as examining landmines that have been discovered in previous conflicts. According to NewScientist research, the AI recognizes trends in the customary placement of landmines around these places and utilizes this information to anticipate where they would be planted in new areas. In a publication, the researchers stated that trials of their method are being considered for various regions and that it is currently being tested in Cambodia.


An engineer carries out mine clearance work in Ukraine ~ 
(Source: Google Images) 

AI has the potential to significantly enhance landmine removal efforts, according to Andro Mathewson of The HALO Trust, an NGO dedicated to landmine clearance. Mathewson emphasized that workers on the ground will always be needed for the final phase. "There is enormous potential for efficiency gains: saving time, saving money, and, hopefully, saving lives," Mathewson states. He highlights the hidden danger of landmines, which can be triggered by something as simple as a family crossing an old, gravel mine road. These devices, designed to destroy a 20-ton tank, can cause devastating damage to a personal car.

Mathewson explains that obtaining information is the first step in clearing landmines. This data can come from verbal reports from locals, hand-drawn maps from witnesses, or precise military information on mine locations. Records of accidents' locations and times are also crucial. In some cases, like The HALO Trust's ongoing work in Cambodia, they use declassified US spy satellite photos from the 1980s to guide their efforts.

With AI's promising advancements and the dedication of ground teams, the future of landmine removal looks brighter, potentially leading to safer communities worldwide.