Sunbird AI
For Practical And Resilient Data Systems In Uganda’s New Cities
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Amount$310,000
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Program
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Date Awarded8/30/2023
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Term24.0 Months
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Type of SupportProject
Overview
The government of Uganda is planning to create 15 new cities from existing towns by the end of 2023. This will create new opportunities, but it will also put a strain on infrastructure and services. As a result, data and evidence use in decision making at this urban level, together with sound governance of that data and evidence, will be critical to these new cities' success. To prepare for this, three current Hewlett Foundation grantees based in Uganda — Sunbird AI, UN Global Pulse Lab Kampala, and ToroDev — will work together with the new city authorities in Fort Portal and Jinja to identify these cities' core data and evidence needs; train city officials on how to use data and evidence to make decisions; support the institutionalization of data use at the city level; and pilot new data and AI technologies to aid in decision making. This grant is for Sunbird AI's portion of the collaboration, and (among other activities) will support the pilot projects that demonstrate the potential of AI and other data-driven technologies for improving decision making at the urban level in Uganda. (Strategy: Evidence-Informed Policymaking)
About the Grantee
Grantee Website
sunbird.ai
Address
P.O. Box 11296, Makerere Hill Road, Kampala, Uganda
Grants to this Grantee
for practical and resilient data systems in Uganda’s new cities
The government of Uganda is planning to create 15 new cities from existing towns by the end of 2023. This will create new opportunities, but it will also put a strain on infrastructure and services. As a result, data and evidence use in decision making at this urban level, together with sound governance of that data and evidence, will be critical to these new cities' success. To prepare for this, three current Hewlett Foundation grantees based in Uganda — Sunbird AI, UN Global Pulse Lab Kampala, and ToroDev — will work together with the new city authorities in Fort Portal and Jinja to identify these cities' core data and evidence needs; train city officials on how to use data and evidence to make decisions; support the institutionalization of data use at the city level; and pilot new data and AI technologies to aid in decision making. This grant is for Sunbird AI's portion of the collaboration, and (among other activities) will support the pilot projects that demonstrate the potential of AI and other data-driven technologies for improving decision making at the urban level in Uganda. (Strategy: Evidence-Informed Policymaking)
for business development planning and a strategic partnership model
Sunbird AI is a non-profit based in Uganda working on artificial intelligence for sustainable development in Africa. Sunbird AI believes that better data technology has the potential to improve planning, policy, real-time decision-making, and strengthen the feedback loop between citizens and policy makers. Artificial intelligence in particular has the potential to help Africa leapfrog the traditional constraints of infrastructure to improve human wellbeing. As a relatively young organization, Sunbird AI continues to strengthen its organization structures and systems to support the realization of its vision and mission. Building on an earlier organizational effectiveness (OE) grant focused on developing a communications strategy, this OE grant will support Sunbird AI in the development of both a business development strategy, and a strategic partnerships plan.
for development of organizational structures
Sunbird AI is a new nonprofit organization in Uganda focused on translating artificial intelligence and data technologies into usable products for societal good in Africa. This operational effectiveness grant will allow Sunbird AI to strengthen several elements of its governance and internal management systems in its a start-up phase. Institutional development of Sunbird AI advances goals under the Evidence-Informed Policymaking strategy, especially to strengthen African institutions that work closely with governments to apply advanced data analytics to decision-making.
