Welcome to the MERL Tech Initiative!
MERL Tech is a term for digital tools and approaches that enable monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). The term also describes the wider field of work at the intersection of technology and MERL.
The MERL Tech Initiative (MTI) and its core collaborators work with social sector organizations to achieve thoughtful tech-enabled program design, implementation, and MERL.
We convene communities of practice to share learning and advance responsible, ethical, realistic digital approaches that center people, communities and societies. We advocate for a strong focus on equity, justice and avoiding harm. Learn more about our work!
Latest News
- Designing for safety: A down-to-earth conversation about AI safety in practice
- Old Problems, New Tech? Making Sense of AI Chatbot Performance Metrics
- Are we ‘listening’ or just collecting data?
- Community listening: A relational, people-first process that shouldn’t be turned into a tickbox exercise
Upcoming Events
Join MERL professionals to connect, network and learn.
June 24: Cutting Through the Hype: A Practical Guide to Choosing Value-Aligned and High-Performance AI Tools with AEA
On June 24, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, Kevin Hong (The MERL Tech Initiative and Columbia University) is facilitating AEA’s Summer Workshop, which will focus on practical frameworks for assessing AI tools based on performance, alignment with organizational values, risk, and real-world impact.
July 13-15: Introduction to AI in Evaluation – IPDET Workshop
The IPDET Workshops in Bern (Switzerland) will take place from July 13 to 17, 2026. Linda Raftree (The MERL Tech Initiative) is co-facilitating a training with Paul Jasper to help evaluators who have so far had limited exposure to emerging AI, including Generative AI (GenAI), to understand potential implications and risks for their area of work. Learn more and register here.
MERL Tech Initiative Publications
Resources
-
Common AI Definitions & Risks for Development & Humanitarian Actors
-
The Opportunities and Risks of Foundational Models
-
CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance
-
Decolonizing Data, One Language at a Time
-
Data Ethics Guidebook and Toolkit
-
Responsible Data Governance for M&E in the African Context. Part 1: Overview of Data Governance
-
Responsible Data Governance for M&E in the African Context. Part 2: Practical Guidance
-
Data Rights for Communities
-
Catalog of Digital Solutions