In a world where technology and society are increasingly intertwined, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT appears to be making bold strides with its latest venture, Project AI Evidence (PAIE). The project aims to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fight against global poverty, having granted funding for eight landmark studies.
The global rise of AI presents us with both potential and uncertainty. PAIE, however, seeks to steer us through these murky waters by carefully assessing the efficacy of AI strategies, their beneficiaries, and their potential for responsible upscaling. It’s not all about finding the next big thing; the project also aims to flag harmful technologies and advise their responsible downscaling where necessary.
The noble venture aims to connect the dots between governments, tech companies, nonprofit organizations, and leading economists. The objective? To trial and refine AI-powered tools designed to tackle deep-rooted societal issues. The spotlight here is on the real-life questions being posed by policy-makers. Elements like AI-driven teaching aids enhancing educational outcomes, machine learning aiding in the reduction of deforestation within the Amazon, and the potential role of AI chatbots to promote improved health conditions are all in question. The project seeks to ally real-world problem-solving with cutting-edge research, with a series of funding contests earmarked to help tackle such pressing issues.
Wide-ranging support from the likes of Google.org, Community Jameel, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), UK International Development, and Amazon Web Services underpins the initiative. There’s also a key grant from Eric and Wendy Schmidt, advocated by Schmidt Sciences, that will facilitate the exploration of generative AI within professional settings, particularly in lower-to-middle income countries.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with MIT and J-PAL, already leaders in this space,” shared Alex Diaz, head of AI for social good at Google.org. This sentiment was echoed by Maggie Gorman-Velez of IDRC who stressed the critical nature of context-specific research.
J-PAL’s extensive network has held more than 2,500 critical evaluations since its establishment in 2003. With the launch of PAIE, it will capitalize on this experience to ensure AI solutions are trialled with stringent scientific measures.
As we look to the future, the initiative hopes to play a pivotal role in guiding the responsible application of AI within the social sector. J-PAL’s Iqbal Dhaliwal points out: “While AI has incredible potential, we need to maximize its benefits and minimize possible harms”. The initiative is also inviting collaborators who share their vision and interest in leveraging evidence-based innovation.
If you’re interested in keeping up-to-date with the progression of Project AI Evidence, you’re invited to subscribe to J-PAL’s newsletter or reach out directly via E-Mail.
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