Technology Salon

The MERL Tech Initiative (MTI) and its Natural Language Processing Community of Practice (NLP-CoP) is a diverse global network of almost 1,000 monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) practitioners; AI experts; tool developers; and program implementers, fiscally sponsored by Technology Salon. MTI creates spaces for exploration and responsible application of NLP and generative AI to improve impact through better integration of evidence and learning into policy and program design. It also seeks to democratize understanding of emerging AI technologies, support the ethical development of AI-enabled MERL approaches, and develop guidance and orientation as public goods for those working on socially focused programming. This grant will specifically support the NLP-CoP’s AI+Africa Working Group, which focuses on creating space, structure, and momentum for its 250 members to work and learn together and take a more active role in the transformative power of AI in Africa for monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning. The AI+Africa Working Group is working to build relationships and connections across and within the continent, creating connections with African organizations who hold expertise in AI development and AI policy, and closing gaps across social, public, and private sector organizations that are curious about using AI. (Strategy: Evidence-Informed Policymaking)