We’re hosting a 2-day workshop in Tanzania: AI for MERL Bootcamp 

This 2-day free in-person workshop will equip participants to think critically about AI, evaluate where it genuinely adds value to MERL workflows, and apply it responsibly. We will cover two key aspects: 1) how to apply AI to support tasks along the MERL lifecycle, and 2) how to conduct MERL of AI-enabled efforts (such as chatbots in health or agriculture).

Moving beyond theory, participants will leave with hands-on experience using real AI tools, a sharper understanding of the risks, and a clear ethical framework to guide their decisions. 

Apply here to join us on August 17-18, 2026, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.  Applications close on June 30, 2026.

Who is this course for?

This workshop is designed by The MERL Tech Initiative for professionals who work in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) roles across the international development, humanitarian, and social impact sectors. It is particularly relevant for 

• M&E officers, advisors, and managers seeking to understand AI’s practical relevance to their work
• MERL leads and directors responsible for guiding organisational data and learning strategies 
• programme staff who commission or use evaluation findings 
• researchers and data analysts exploring AI-assisted approaches
• consultants or independent evaluators wanting to stay ahead of sector trends.

Level of AI Expertise: Beginner to Intermediate 

Level of MERL Expertise: Intermediate

What Participants Will Learn

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Define key AI concepts and distinguish between different types of AI relevant to MERL
• Critically evaluate AI tools and assess whether they are appropriate for specific tasks and contexts
• Identify practical applications of Generative AI across the MERL cycle 
• Apply prompt engineering techniques to extract reliable, useful outputs from AI systems
• Recognise the risks of AI adoption, including bias, hallucination, data privacy, and dependency, and apply mitigation strategies
• Navigate the ethical dimensions of AI use in development settings, including issues of consent, representation, and accountability
• Make informed decisions about AI adoption (if at all) in their own MERL systems and workflows
• Adopt frameworks and approaches for monitoring and evaluating the use of AI in programs

Course Topics 

• Introduction to key AI terms and concepts 
• Overview of AI uses and AI use in the MERL sector
• Introduction to monitoring and evaluation of AI systems
• GenAI tools and applications for MERL
• Risks, ethics, and best practices
• Hands-on experimentation with AI tools for social impact
• Prompt engineering for MERL practitioners
• Frameworks for MERL of AI Programmes

Space is limited, so if you’re planning to be in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania then, and you’d like to join, be sure to submit your application for the workshop by June 30, 2026.