A central issue was the difference between conditions recorded by weather stations and the heat actually experienced by individuals. The discussion illustrated how a worker exposed to direct heat on black asphalt may experience significantly higher temperatures than those recorded at a weather station located many kilometres away. This raises the potential value of additional sources of information, including wearables and sensors, to better understand individual exposure.
AI can help process and connect these different sources of data to support more responsive risk assessment and financial protection mechanisms.
The presentation also explored pre-positioned and forecast-based financial support, emphasising the value of making resources available before extreme heat causes significant impacts. Combining financial mechanisms such as insurance with heat-risk knowledge, training and community resilience can strengthen preparedness, particularly for people working in the informal sector.
Another important area of focus was heat exposure during pregnancy. The discussion highlighted the heightened risks faced during pregnancy and explored approaches that combine financial protection with practical measures such as solar-powered fans. Heat resilience was therefore considered not only in terms of reducing physical exposure, but also in relation to health, livelihoods and household-level resilience.
Particular attention was given to nighttime heat. Analysis across cities indicated that nighttime temperatures are increasing rapidly, creating risks that may not be adequately addressed through conventional daytime-focused heat action planning. This highlights the need to examine who remains exposed at night and what forms of protection are required during these periods.
The presentation ultimately connected AI, data, finance and preparedness within a broader approach to heat resilience. The focus was on developing solutions that reflect how heat is actually experienced and ensuring that support reaches vulnerable populations before, during and beyond periods of extreme heat.
