AI Is Helping Save Lost People in Russia
Artificial intelligence and drones are transforming how search teams locate missing people, cutting hours off rescue operations and saving lives.
In Russia, AI has become a crucial tool in search-and-rescue work. The volunteer organization Liza Alert reports that several people each year are now found alive thanks to new digital technologies. Where rescue missions once relied solely on human volunteers and emergency responders, algorithms and drones now play an active role in spotting those who need help.
Drones at Work
One of the most effective innovations is the use of drones paired with image-recognition software. The devices scan vast territories from above, taking hundreds of photos in seconds. Artificial intelligence analyzes the images, flagging those that may contain a person or object of interest. Volunteers then focus only on these filtered shots — a process that dramatically reduces search time.
Rescuers also use surveillance camera footage and geolocation data from mobile phones, which can be shared by telecom operators in emergencies if users have given prior consent.
Together, these tools show how AI is reshaping the way humans search for and save one another, especially across Russia’s vast and often remote landscapes.
