Event: A conversation about AI in MERL in Asia, with Valentine Gandhi 

The MERL Tech Initiative is happy to announce a new Asia Working Group in our Community of Practice. Co-led by Neeta Goel and Prabin Nanicha Shrestha, this working group will focus on issues at the intersection of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), artificial intelligence (AI), and data responsibility in Asia. 

We will be launching this working group with an inaugural meeting on February 26, at 2.30pm Delhi / 2.45pm Nepal / 4pm Jakarta / 5pm Manila.

For this inaugural session, we are honoured to be joined by guest speaker Valentine Gandhi, who will share insights related to AI in MEL in Asia.

Get to know the co-leads

Prabin Nanicha Shrestha is a Regional MEL Specialist, currently working with the Evaluation and Learning Unit at The Asia Foundation. He is also a Co-Leader of EvalYouth Asia, where he contributes to strengthening young and emerging evaluators’ engagement and capacity in the evaluation sector in the region..

Neeta Goel is a development professional, working at the intersection of practice and research. Over the past twenty years, Neeta has worked on the design, implementation, and evaluation of development interventions in India and other LMIC countries. She is passionate about the use of evidence for equitable development and is a strong advocate for transparency and open data in research and evaluation.

More information about the CoP

Convened by The MERL Tech Initiative, the CoP brings together MERL practitioners, AI experts, and data responsibility advocates to learn and collaborate. We focus on responsible, appropriate, and effective applications of AI to address demand-driven, real-world MERL challenges.

We aim to reach and support an array of audiences who may not have data science backgrounds, presenting complex and opaque concepts in accessible ways. We work together to influence the use of AI for MERL, and we advocate for a stronger role of MERL professionals in evaluating the effects of AI in social sector programming and wider society. We’re a global group with members from all over the world. Our members span various professions and disciplines, and we welcome individuals at all levels of expertise. Learn more and join here.