Patrick Meier is a passionate evangelist for the power of big data to help us respond to natural disasters and other crises. He is also a careful scholar who thinks deeply about the limits and potential dangers of data-centric approaches. His book offers both inspiration for those around the world who want to improve our disaster response and a set of fertile challenges to ensure we use data wisely and ethically.Ethan Zuckerman, Director, MIT Center for Civic Media and author of Rewire: Digital Cosmopolitans in the Age of ConnectionI dare you to read this book and not have both your heart and mind opened. Patrick Meier writes compellingly about his first-hand accounts of people around the world working together to help disaster victims through advanced computing solutions. Leysia Palen, Associate Professor and Director of Project EPICEmpowering the Public with Information during Crises, University of Colorado, BoulderSomething very like the fog of war afflicts crisis response. On the ground, simply knowing what is wrong who is suffering? where is the danger? is both critical and difficult. In Digital Humanitarians, Patrick Meier, a scholar and practitioner of crisis response, shows us how simple digital tools, built and staffed by a worldwide network of volunteers, are providing faster and more comprehensive data for disaster response efforts. Working from examples like the Haitian earthquake and the Arab Spring, Meier shows how tools from artificial intelligence to aerial drones, and techniques from crowdmapping to distributed fact-checking, are helping to dispel some of that fog.Clay Shirky, Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University and author of Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without OrganizationsAn insider's guide to the humanitarian data revolution, seen through the eyes of a thought leader, scholar, and expert practitioner on the front lines of a global movement that is already transforming how we understand and respond to crises.Robert Kirkpatrick, United Nations Global PulseBusiness, economics and governance are transforming as traditional state-based institutions are supplemented and indeed eclipsed by non-state networks of civil society. New technologies are enabling regular citizens to connect, collaborate, and save lives. In his book, Meier shows these same trends emerging in the field of humanitarian response. Global problem solving is rapidly evolving and Meier will help get you on board.Don Tapscott, Global Solutions Network and co-author of WikinomicsThis book breaks new ground, as Patrick Meier charts the optimism, the possibilities, and the dilemmas of a new Digital Humanitarianism from his own first hand experience. For anyone in the Humanitarian sector - ignore this book at your own peril.Tarun Sarwal, Innovation Advisor, International Committee of the Red CrossMeier offers an illuminating look at how digital humanitarian have been creating value from big data for nearly a half-decade. He changes the narrative surrounding the "traditional" humanitarian community - often thought to be intransigent and inflexible - by presenting examples of how humanitarian organizations are actively exploring how to incorporate big data and crowdsourcing into their decision-making processes. His authoritative volume crackles with honest insights about the current and future state of humanitarian response.Albert Gembara, Technology Integration Officer, United States Agency for International DevelopmentPatrick Meier has been the leading figure in creating a new type of disaster responders, digital humanitarians and in this groundbreaking book he takes us through the story of how technology can truly revolutionize how we deal with some of the most chaotic events we experience.Gisli Olafsson, Emergency Response Director, NetHope and author of The Crisis LeaderFor all the technology firsts, this is first a story about volunteers. It is also a story about the relentless application of fundamental information technology skills, collecting, processing and making understandable an avalanche of data. Not only is this about the heart of information technology professionals, it is about the application of information technology skills; and in a crisis, any professional wants to contribute what they know best.Ed Happ, Global Chief Information Officer of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesIf you want to be enlightened about how technology is revolutionizing humanitarian aid, then this book is for you. In Digital Humanitarians Patrick Meier depicts a humanitarian endeavour that is being enriched by the efforts of a growing global network of smart, savvy innovators. Expertly fusing front-line experience, technological expertise, and a deeply humane worldview, Meier closes with a rousing call for change: toward a more open, democratic humanitarian system. All of us working in international disaster response should be paying close attention.Ben Ramalingam, Chair of the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) and author of Aid on the Edge of ChaosThis book shows us once again why Patrick Meier is a thought leader in leveraging emerging technologies for social impact. His book captures the enormous possibilities and avoidable pitfalls of big data, social media and artificial intelligence in crisis contexts. Digital humanitarians can be powerful agents for social change but ground-truthing what we see and hear digitally is more important than ever.Aleem Walji, Chief Innovation Advisor, Leadership, Learning, and Innovation, World Bank GroupPatrick Meier is a master cartographer. He is a talented crisis mapper, sure, but he's mapping something even bigger in this book. He's mapping the ecosystem of digital humanitarianism the hills of human motivations, the seas of human institutions, and the urban landscape of human technology. The ideas and stories here not only plot the path for digital humanitarians in disasters, but they illuminate a runway of opportunity for all of philanthropy and social innovation in the digital age.Wendy Harman, Director of Information Management and Situational Awareness, American Red CrossThere has been a lot of hype about the role of technology can play the humanitarian space, with very little to show for it. Patrick Meier in his book and in his work is one of the few people who has gone beyond talk to show how big ideas can translate into very concrete initiatives that help save lives. He also shows a fascinating glimpse into the early days of crisis mapping and the passionate group of volunteers who are transforming the way we work. This book is indispensable reading for anyone who is interested in finding ways to incorporate technology into their work as humanitarians.Sharon Morris, Senior Advisor to the President, US Institute of PeacePatrick provides a fascinating read for anyone interested in how technology could spur the humanitarian community far into the 21st century. Building from his very personal experience that propelled him into the digital humanitarian space, Patrick lays out the amazing achievements of many who have dreamed to change the world for the better. At the same time, and perhaps more importantly, Patrick also outlines what the humanitarian community can do to fully embrace new technologies and approaches--many of which are already revolutionizing other industries.Andrej Verity, Co-Founder of the Digital Humanitarian NetworkPatrick Meier's brilliant and inspiring book documents the power that everyday citizens have when responding to humanitarian crises or political repression. Patrick writes from the unique perspective of having played a key role in the development and evolution of the digital humanitarian field. The book provides a wonderful combination of case studies exploring many successes and challenges and also has a critical and necessary exploration of the many ethical issues around the use of technology in humanitarian work, such as privacy, …