In a move to significantly bolster global disaster resilience, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched a landmark five-year research project focused on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques. The initiative is designed to provide faster, safer, and more reliable evaluations of critical infrastructure—such as bridges, buildings, and dams—following catastrophic events like earthquakes, floods, and industrial accidents.
As the frequency and severity of global disasters rise, the ability to quickly determine the safety of structural foundations is becoming a critical component of emergency response and economic recovery.
The Synergy of AI and Non-Destructive Testing
Non-destructive testing (NDT) has long been the backbone of structural safety, using specialized methods to identify hidden damage without compromising the integrity of the object being tested. The IAEA has a storied history of supporting nations in applying these techniques, but the new Coordinated Research Project (CRP) marks a technological leap forward.
The project will explore how deep learning and convolutional neural networks can be applied to traditional NDT data to:
- Automate Damage Detection: Speeding up the time it takes to interpret complex datasets.
- Enhance Accuracy: Reducing human error in the evaluation of high-risk structures.
- Support Advanced Imaging: Improving the analysis of thermal, radiographic, and tomographic data, particularly when deployed via drone-based inspections.
By combining AI with established methods like ultrasonics, radiography, rebar detection, and hardness testing, the IAEA aims to provide real-time, data-driven insights that protect responders and accelerate engineering decisions.
Core Objectives and Global Impact
The CRP is designed to be a collaborative effort, bringing together research institutions, universities, and specialized agencies from IAEA Member States. The project seeks to build a scalable and practical framework for disaster preparedness through several key pillars:
- Emerging Technology Research: Investigating how AI can be applied to NDT in complex, high-risk disaster scenarios.
- Data Standardization: Establishing protocols for sharing AI-enhanced NDT data across international borders.
- Experimental Validation: Generating massive datasets to train and validate AI models specifically for infrastructure safety.
- Decision-Making Frameworks: Creating systems that integrate AI-NDT outputs directly into disaster-management models.
Call for Global Research Participation
The IAEA has issued an official invitation for research organizations to join the project. Interested parties are required to submit a Proposal for Research Contract or Agreement by 27 February 2026.
In an effort to promote inclusivity and future-proof the industry, the IAEA has stated it strongly encourages the participation of female and early-career researchers in the submitted proposals. Submissions must be made to the IAEA’s Research Contracts Administration Section using the official template available on the Coordinated Research Activities portal.
The outcomes of this five-year project are expected to provide a new set of high-tech tools for civil engineers, disaster-response teams, and national safety institutions worldwide, ensuring that the recovery from the next major disaster is faster and more resilient than the last.
