AI helps deliver $1,000 cash relief to hurricane-affected households in North Carolina and Florida

Nearly 1,000 households in North Carolina and Florida affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton will receive $1,000 cash payments on Friday. This aid comes from GiveDirectly, a nonprofit using artificial intelligence to identify areas with significant storm damage and poverty. The program allows eligible residents to enroll via a smartphone app, streamlining the application process. This approach contrasts with previous methods, which required in-person enrollment and took weeks to distribute funds. GiveDirectly's model aims to provide faster disaster relief compared to traditional aid systems, like FEMA's, which still require applications. While the program has limitations, such as accessibility for those without smartphones, it hopes to inspire more direct cash assistance initiatives.