Archive for category: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

, ,

Novissi: AI Fighting Global Poverty

NovissiHeadlines often cast artificial intelligence (AI) as a thief of jobs or a shadow over humanity’s future, yet in some of the world’s poorest communities, it has become a lifeline. In Malawi, AI-powered fetal monitoring is helping reduce one of the world’s highest neonatal death rates. Satellite data and mobile phone records in Togo are speeding up emergency cash transfers to families who would otherwise wait months for aid. In India, a digital platform is giving rural workers fair wages to build datasets in their own languages. Meanwhile, across Africa, solar-powered water pumps with AI-enabled monitoring are keeping clean water and electricity flowing in underserved communities. 

Newborns in Malawi

Malawi has long struggled with one of the world’s highest neonatal mortality rates. Between 2000 and 2015, the rate hovered around 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, far above the global average of 17. Conventional monitoring often missed early signs of distress, especially in overcrowded maternity wards with limited staff.

At Lilongwe’s Area 25 Health Centre, an AI-powered fetal monitoring system now tracks heart rate and oxygen levels continuously. It acts like a second pair of eyes, sounding the alarm before midwives can detect trouble. A six-month before-and-after study found that intrapartum stillbirths and early neonatal deaths dropped sharply once the system was introduced. At this single clinic, stillbirths and neonatal deaths have fallen by more than 82%.

For midwives, AI has become the colleague that never leaves the room; for mothers, it is the difference between heartbreak and hope. In Malawi, AI has stepped into the role of caregiver as a new angel for humanity, watching over the smallest lives.

Novissi Predicting Poverty

Before COVID-19, many poor households in Togo were invisible to social registries. Informal workers lacked paperwork or census records, so cash transfers often took months to arrange and often missed those most in need.

During the pandemic, the government built Novissi, a digital program that used satellite imagery and mobile-phone metadata to predict poverty at the household level. Families then received mobile-money transfers within days. Registration was simple, verification used voter IDs, and payments scaled quickly to hundreds of thousands of people. Independent evaluations found the AI-assisted targeting was both faster and more accurate than older methods. 

Offering Dignity in India

Rural India is home to millions who live on less than $2 a day, with unemployment and underemployment leaving families stuck in poverty. Even when work is available, it is often seasonal farm labor or insecure low-wage jobs.

The social enterprise Karya, backed by Microsoft and the Gates Foundation, is tackling this challenge by using AI to create dignified digital work. Villagers are paid to record speech and text in their own languages, building datasets that train global AI tools. Unlike most digital piecework, Karya guarantees above-minimum wages and shares royalties whenever the data is reused.

For workers, it means food on the table, children staying in school, and recognition that their voices matter. 

Carrying Water and Shining the Light in Africa

Across sub-Saharan Africa, more than 400 million people lack clean water and 600 million live without electricity. Even when solar pumps or mini-grids are installed, they often fail within months, leaving families hauling water long distances or studying by candlelight until repairs are made.

Organizations like Innovation: Africa, now fit solar-powered systems with remote monitoring sensors. These track water flow and electricity output, transmitting data over mobile networks. When a system falters, technicians receive alerts and can repair the problem within 48 hours instead of months. In one Ugandan village, a broken pump that once left families without water for weeks was repaired in two days after the system flagged the failure.

For families, it means reliable water and steady light to study at night, turning fragile systems into dependable lifelines.

– Diane Dunlop

Diane is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

, ,

How Zzapp Malaria Uses AI Technology To Fight Malaria in Africa

Zzapp MalariaEvery year, malaria sickens millions and kills hundreds of thousands worldwide, with most cases concentrated in Africa. In 2023 alone, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and nearly 600,000 deaths, with children aged 5 and less accounting for about 76% of those deaths.

Despite decades of progress, including a 38% reduction in malaria incidence and a 60% drop in mortality from 2000 to 2022, gains have stalled. Challenges such as drug and insecticide resistance, underfunding and changing climatic conditions continue to hamper efforts. As traditional tools fall short, technology to fight malaria is becoming increasingly vital.

AI as a Solution

Malaria has been eliminated in several countries that are able to carry out comprehensive control operations, particularly by targeting mosquito breeding grounds in stagnant water bodies. However, such interventions require significant investment.

To overcome these barriers, innovative initiatives like Zzapp Malaria are using technology to fight malaria. They are transforming control operations with AI and mobile tools to offer scalable, cost-effective solutions to one of Africa’s most persistent public health threats.

How Zzapp Malaria Works

Zzapp Malaria is an Israeli nonprofit startup. It uses AI-driven software to plan and execute malaria control operations, particularly larviciding and house spraying, in low-resource and urban settings across Africa.

Its approach combines several key steps:

  • Planning and mapping. Neural networks analyze satellite images to detect homes, stagnant water areas and breeding hotspots, incorporating climate and topographic data to determine optimal intervention timing.
  • Task allocation. The platform segments areas into grids and assigns them to field workers through its mobile app.
  • Field operations. App-guided teams map, sample and treat water bodies with larvicides or sprays, with real-time data optimizing interventions.
  • Monitoring. The system flags areas with insufficient treatment or high mosquito levels for rapid response.

The app works offline, supports low-end smartphones and uses icons for low-literacy users. It recognizes traditional huts and modern homes and training is simple. For many field workers, using the app is their first digital experience, empowering them with new skills.

Proven Impact and Cost-Effectiveness

  • Obuasi, Ghana. In partnership with the AngloGold Malaria Control Program (AG­AMaL), Zzapp Malaria piloted its system in 2017. A 2018 randomized controlled trial showed app-guided teams detected 28% more breeding sites with more than 90% coverage than standard methods. By 2020, a full-scale operation reduced mosquito populations by 60% in less than four months at $0.20 per person protected, compared to about $5 for traditional spraying.
  • São Tomé and Príncipe. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Zzapp Malaria conducted an eight month-long larviciding operation covering 166,000 people across 240 square kilometers. Results included a 75% reduction in mosquitoes, malaria cases cut by more than half and an average cost of $0.86 per person protected, dropping to $0.44 in urban areas — about twice as cost-effective as bed nets.

Zzapp Malaria remains active in Ghana, São Tomé and Príncipe and has expanded to Mozambique, Zanzibar in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya. Its pilots have reached 500,000 people, with expansion agreements aiming for at least five million.

Recent Developments

  • Ghana. In April 2025, The Ghanaian Times reported that AGAMal and Zzapp Malaria’s tools reduced malaria prevalence to about 1% in Obuasi East.
  • Mozambique. Following a successful pilot in Maputo with Mozambique’s National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and Goodbye Malaria, Zzapp Malaria is preparing a nationwide urban rollout.
  • Zanzibar. Drone integration trials are underway, using drone maps and LiDAR to identify breeding sites. Zanzibar’s Ministry of Health has implemented this project as part of the spatial intelligence system funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC).

Why Zzapp Malaria’s Solutions Matter

Despite large global investments, conventional tools often fall short and progress has stalled. Technology to fight malaria, like Zzapp Malaria, enables task-shifting to community health workers while enhancing surveillance, diagnosis and treatment. Its AI-powered mapping, targeted larviciding and drone-assisted detection fill key gaps:

  • Cost-effective interventions. Optimize resources where funding is limited.
  • Complementary strategies. Strengthen existing interventions facing resistance.
  • Enhanced operations. Improve data-driven decision-making in challenging contexts.

Zzapp Malaria exemplifies the transformative potential of technology to fight malaria through digital health solutions:

  • Technology as a solution. AI and drones directly reduce mosquito populations and malaria cases.
  • Scalability and cost-effectiveness. Proven impact at minimal cost.
  • Empowerment. Tools designed for low-literacy, low-infrastructure settings democratize access.
  • Evidence-based results. Peer-reviewed studies and credible media confirm its effectiveness.

In a world where malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year, Zzapp Malaria shows how technology to fight malaria can provide scalable, cost-effective solutions to one of the world’s most persistent health challenges.

– Jacobo L. Esteban

Jacobo is based in Cali, Colombia and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

How AI Is Improving Education Systems in the DRC

Education in the DRCThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is enduring one of the most complex humanitarian disasters of modern times. Amid a brutal conflict, political corruption and the pursuit of natural resources, the children of the DRC currently face a raft of life-threatening challenges.

A Nation of Paradox

Despite the DRC being the world’s largest cobalt producer and rich in many natural resources, 28 million Congolese civilians are experiencing acute food insecurity. At a time of great struggle, the people of the DRC suffer at the hands of one of the most persistent and far-reaching conflicts in Africa. An estimated 7.8 million civilians have been internally displaced. At the same time, schools, homes and public infrastructure are destroyed in pursuit of land and resources.

Following years of colonial rule, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo is accused of contributing to a status quo that perpetrates human rights violations against his people. Hence, DRC ranks among the highest globally in corruption, where wealth fuels conflict and extraction rather than public and economic development. Not only have these issues created an ongoing humanitarian crisis, but they also contribute to unemployment and poverty. More than 70% of the Congolese population lives on less than $2.15 per day.

Education Systems in the DRC

These immense challenges have shattered the education system in the DRC. Around 7.6 million children and half of all girls between the ages of 5 and 17 no longer attend school. Many struggle to complete their studies due to barriers like resource shortages, long distances or economic challenges.

With many schools and education systems destroyed, those operating in the DRC often struggle with overcrowding and underfunding, severely limiting education quality amid ongoing economic and social instability. These compounded challenges lead to low enrollment rates and expose children to serious risks. These include forced recruitment, child labor, violence and deepening poverty, harsh realities in a country where daily survival is already a struggle.

The AI Revolution in Africa

In a changing Africa, AI is set to play a significant role in addressing the challenges faced within public education. By bridging the digital divide and increasing access to quality schooling, AI platforms could prepare students more fully for the demands of a fairer workforce. African EdTech startups have grown rapidly in recent years, offering content that supports learning and teaching in diverse settings. Many now provide materials in African languages and dialects, helping re-empower local communities during uncertain times.

Yet, regardless of AI’s undeniable potential, the DRC ranked 181st globally on the AI Government Readiness Index between 2023 and 2024. This low ranking reflects widespread concerns about government effectiveness and the scalability of AI in underserved rural areas. Despite these hurdles, AI-powered tools now facilitate opportunities for basic educational tools tailored with digital platforms such as Schoolap. These platforms show promise at a time when the DRC’s education system is facing existential threats.

Schoolap

Since its founding in 2017, Schoolap has expanded rapidly, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital learning. The platform now features more than 20,300 educational resources, 6,000 partner schools, 1.9 million registered students and around 105,000 participating teachers across six provinces.

In the face of these many great challenges, by engaging students with innovative adaptive learning platforms, AI is providing children with new and efficient means of education. These means are easier to access and less dependent on their location or socioeconomic status. The app requires users to complete an account form to access its content. This form identifies the learner’s level of study, after which they can access online courses in multiple formats, designed for both primary and secondary students and educators.

Conclusion

The Schoolap platform offers a simple solution as Congolese schools continue to close. It combines digital curriculum management with interactive tools that can address the growing needs of the faltering education systems in the DRC. While the road to long-term safety and security is dangerous, platforms such as Schoolap reveal promising new pathways. They offer more accessible education for the children of a nation deeply affected by war, corruption and the mismanagement of public resources.

– Gabriel John Gunn

Gabriel is based in Paisley, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

How AI in South Africa Fights Poverty

AI in South Africa Fights PovertySouth Africa faces significant socioeconomic challenges that hinder economic growth, increase unemployment and drive poverty levels higher. As of 2025, the World Bank projects that 63.5% of the population will continue to live below the upper-middle-income line of $6.85 per day.

Despite challenges, South Africa leads Africa in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to revive struggling industries, boost productivity and drive economic development. Indeed, the 2024 Global Index on Responsible AI ranks it as the continent’s top performer. The implementation of AI in South Africa plays a key role as the country fights poverty, by addressing structural inequalities and innovating health care, agriculture and the workforce.

AI in South Africa Fights Poverty

In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a commission to help the country benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The 4IR represents the ongoing technological transformation in society, driven by advances in modern technologies and artificial intelligence. Indeed, the commission’s efforts have opened new opportunities for South African society to integrate more effectively into a technology-driven workforce.

The creation of the AI Institute of South Africa further expands career and educational pathways for both students and professionals. Former IT students founded the institution to equip citizens with the skills needed for a digital workforce. It offers internships, job placements and professional development opportunities in the IT and engineering sectors, helping individuals thrive in a technology-driven economy.

Universities and research institutions also play an important role in building digital and technical skills, offering postgraduate programs focused on AI and data analytics. The University of Pretoria’s Data Science for Social Impact group offers courses in big data and natural language processing, while TVET colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities deliver programs focused on 4IR. 

These measures aim to directly reduce unemployment in South Africa. They support economic development by enhancing digital skills within the workforce.

AI in Agriculture

South Africa’s agricultural sector faces serious challenges from unpredictable and frequent natural disasters, which reduce crop yields and cause livestock losses. Rising food prices hit rural communities hardest, increasing the risk of food insecurity. Statistics South Africa revealed that by 2023, 19.7% of households had experienced some form of food insecurity. 

Using AI in South Africa through digital agricultural technologies offers a chance to increase productivity and improve resource efficiency. For example, tools like Aerobotics use drone and satellite technology to detect pest and disease outbreaks, providing valuable support to rural communities with limited data access. Insights on irrigation and fertilisation strategies, predicted yields and water usage help farmers allocate resources more effectively, according to the 2024 GSMA report. 

Alongside these technologies, locally led initiatives such as the ITIKI project demonstrate how AI can also strengthen food security by addressing climate-related risks. Led by the Central University of Technology, the project uses AI and indigenous knowledge to forecast droughts and track food security, GSMA reports. Delivering real-time insights to farmers and decision-makers aids in reducing crop loss. Additionally, farmers are guided to interventions and insights combat food insecurity in rural communities.

By strengthening agricultural resilience and efficiency, AI in South Africa plays a vital role in reducing food insecurity and alleviating poverty in vulnerable communities.

AI in Health Care

South Africa has seen significant advances in equal access to healthcare. As of 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) projects that essential health care services will cover 6.2 million additional people.

The implementation of AI in South Africa further drives innovation in the health care sector by improving diagnostic accuracy, easing workloads and expanding access to services in rural areas. With 62% of health care leaders adopting AI for decision-making and treatment monitoring, South Africa is outpacing the global average in key areas of health tech adoption.

Data-driven decision-making and personalised healthcare initiatives significantly ease pressure on the public health sector. The government-led MomConnect initiative uses AI-powered messaging and virtual symptom assessments to support pregnant mothers. Timely health advice has improving maternal and child health outcomes, GSMA reports.

By expanding access to quality care, AI in healthcare plays a key role in reducing health-related poverty and bridging gaps in vulnerable communities.

The Future of AI in South Africa

Continued implementation of advanced technology in South Africa supports strong economic growth. Furthermore, AI-driven solutions directly address long-standing social challenges effectively by improving the quality of life in vulnerable areas.

South Africa’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework aims to harness the long-term societal and economic benefits of advanced technologies. It sets clear guidelines for integrating AI in alignment with the country’s existing socio-economic goals. By doing so, the framework helps maximize AI’s potential while minimizing associated risks.

To fully realise the benefits of AI in South Africa, active collaboration between policymakers, government and citizens should drive inclusive policies, ensure equitable access to technology and prioritise solutions that address poverty and inequality. Indeed, with a shared commitment to innovation and ethical development, South Africa is well-positioned to shape a future where AI empowers its people and strengthens its society.

– Beatrice Punt

Beatrice is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

AI in Higher Education in Yemen

AI in Higher Education in YemenSince March 2015, the civil war between the Yemeni government and the Houthis has worsened life conditions for innocent civilians in Yemen. About 14% of the population is estimated to be internally displaced and more than 18.2 million require humanitarian aid. Millions of Yemeni children lack necessities like shelter and food, making access to education, often seen as a secondary need in crisis, increasingly out of reach.

Education in Yemen

Seven years into the conflict, 2,916 schools were destroyed, partially damaged or used for noneducational purposes and around 172,000 teachers were irregularly paid or sought better income sources. Two million children were out of school before COVID-19 and the pandemic hindered access to education furthermore.

With forced displacements, bombings and lack of female teachers making schooling a challenge, the frail access to education endangers these children’s futures; in some cases, early marriage for girls and armed group recruitment for boys is the only path forward. Amid this disruption and displacement, digital technology offers new ways to keep learning alive, even in the most challenging conditions.

In recent years, AI has revolutionized the modern world in various fields, including education. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, education worldwide has quickly shifted to online platforms and technological tools. In November 2022, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to the world; students commonly use this chatbot as it is known to enhance education by providing personalized and interactive learning and ongoing feedback.

These emerging tools do not exclude war-torn countries. AI in higher education in Yemen is relatively common; despite the crisis, students utilize AI tools to facilitate learning and aid them in attaining their academic goals.

AI Usage in Yemeni Universities

A study at the University of Science and Technology in Aden found that 95.8% of respondents use AI tools for educational purposes. Usage frequency varied: 21.1% reported daily use, 30.5% used AI a few times a week, 28.4% used it once a week and 20% used it rarely. Only 4.1% of respondents had never used educational AI tools.

Though the educational AI tools are various, this university’s students primarily lean toward ChatGPT; the study reported that they use ChatGPT at 78.9%, as opposed to 8.4% for Gemini, 1.1% for Claude and 11.6% for other AI tools. Another study on EFL Yemeni students showed that a third of the respondents use AI tools daily. Their tool of choice for English learning is ChatGPT at 42%, which exceeds tools specifically designed for language learning like Duolingo at 24%.

Perceived Benefits and Drawbacks

AI in higher education in Yemen has proven very effective in helping students grow throughout their curriculum. The EFL students noted that AI facilitated their understanding by providing interactive and faster learning, flexibility, convenience and immediate feedback. These students believe that AI tools enhance their practical and technical skills, improve their critical thinking abilities and increase their motivation to learn.

However, several drawbacks to using AI tools for education show that full integration into Yemeni universities is still out of reach. Financial constraints limit access to AI. Engineering students specifically reported a lack of funding, insufficient technological resources and poor training on effectively using AI tools for personalized learning.

Skepticism about AI’s accuracy is another major drawback; many students have expressed that ChatGPT, the most used AI tool, can provide unreliable information, false references, gradually weaker answers and logical errors and contradictions.

Conclusion

AI in higher education in Yemen is widely used across various fields of study. ChatGPT has much positive feedback for facilitating learning and providing remote, personalized education. Many aspects regarding the inaccurate nature of the chatbot, as well as the financial limitations and threatened internet access, diminish the potential benefits of the tool. Nevertheless, continuous technological improvements and increased international support to Yemeni educational establishments and students can help break the barriers to education in Yemen.

– Yasmine Belabed

Yasmine is based in Boumerdes, Algeria and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Wadhwani AI: Fighting Poverty in India

Wadhwani aiIn a country of more than 1.4 billion people, diseases such as tuberculosis are rife, crop losses threaten the livelihoods of millions and many children struggle unaided with basic literacy. The Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI), is a nonprofit that is using AI to fight poverty in India. Founded in 2018 by Romesh and Sunil Wadhwani, Wadhwani AI is applying low-cost, AI-based solutions to real-world problems in critical areas such as healthcare, agriculture and education.

Reducing the Spread of Tuberculosis

India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) cases globally:

  • India accounts for 27% of recorded TB cases
  • In 2022, 2.82 million new cases were documented
  • 331,000 deaths were due to TB

The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is the Indian governmental initiative to reduce the spread of TB. The Transformative Research and Artificial Intelligence Capacity for Elimination of Tuberculosis (TRACE-TB) – Wadhwani AI’s umbrella term for several AI programs they are using to help combat TB – aims to improve upon diagnostic tools available and speed up treatment processes.

One of these goals is to improve upon the screening tools available to diagnose TB. These screening tools tend to be expensive, rely on specialist training and require a laboratory setup. Because of this, many TB patients go unrecorded because these screenings simply are not accessible or are under too much demand. Wadhwani AI’s solution is an AI-based diagnostic tool that analyses the sound of a patient’s cough and identifies probable cases of TB. This tool is available as an app, both for health care workers and for people looking to test at home.

Line Probe Assay

Another branch of TRACE-TB is improving the expediency of recording the results of Line Probe Assay (LPA) strips. LPA strips help diagnose cases of drug-resistant TB. Manual testing for this is done at one of only 64 labs across India, which are able to perform around 400,000 tests annually. Not only is this a highly insufficient rate of testing, but the manual process is subject to clerical issues. Due to this overburdened system, many cases will have significant delays in their treatment. Using AI to rapidly evaluate LPA strip results greatly improves upon this response time. This initiative uses a “human-in-the-loop” as part of the process, having someone double-check when the algorithm is uncertain about the interpretation of the results.

Helping Cotton Farmers Fight Pest Infestations

Across the globe, the primary crop for almost 100 million farmers is cotton. Ninety percent of these farmers are from smallholding farms in poorer countries. India is the world’s largest cotton producer (26% of the global output), and is a massive source of employment in the country. Not only are there 5.8 million cotton farmers in India, but a further 40 to 50 million work in the processing or trading of cotton.

Cotton is extremely vulnerable to pest infestations, and on average, Indian farmers lose around 30% of their crops annually. The acuteness of these losses are due to a combination of factors. Firstly, manually collecting data on infestations and then analysing it is very time-consuming, and often by the time that is done any counter-measures may no longer be effective. Secondly, there is a widespread lack of education amongst farmers about correct pesticide usage: using the wrong chemicals or spraying the incorrect amount can prove redundant to combating the infestation, and can be detrimental to the health of the farmers and the environment.

How It Works

Wadhwani AI’s initiative to help cotton farmers fight pest infestations is the CottonAce app. It is easily accessible, works offline and is available in nine languages.

Farmers install pheromone traps amongst their crops, which trap pests. They then upload images of the pests to the app and the AI algorithm identifies the pest and calculates how severe the infestation is. CottonAce generates instantaneous recommendations on which pesticide to use and how to best apply it. The app then shares the data with nearby farmers, creating an early-warning system for the area. CottonAce is a great example of a simple, easily scalable and highly accessible tool that can improve the security of the livelihoods of millions of people, and an easy-to-replicate example of using AI to fight poverty in India.

Assessing Students’ Literacy Skills

Vaachan Samiksha is an AI-based tool for assessing the oral literacy of students. India’s Annual Status of Education Report 2023 showed that more than half of grade five students struggled with reading texts designed for children aged three years below them. Typically, oral fluency is assessed by teachers individually, having students read a passage and then manually counting how often they mispronounce words. With millions of students to consider, this process is incredibly inefficient, fallible and provides very little information about the students’ needs. Wadhwani AI hopes to speed up this process and better gauge what individual students need via Vaachan Samiksha.

In partnership with the Gujarat government, 33,000 schools across the region are currently using the tool. Wadhwani AI developed an AI speech-to-text model that provides instantaneous transcription of the student during the literacy assessment and identifies the mispronounced terms. Multiple students are able to be assessed simultaneously, and the program can efficiently detect patterns in incorrect pronunciation and difficulties. This enables teachers to understand how and where each student is struggling with their oral-literacy, and helps to identify which students might need additional support. As of March 2025, the app has helped make more than 3.6 million assessments across Gujarat.

Closing Thoughts

Wadhwani AI’s work is a reminder that artificial intelligence isn’t only about high-tech labs or futuristic applications—it can be a powerful tool for solving real-world problems in low-resource settings. By designing practical, scalable solutions rooted in local needs, Wadhwani AI is helping shape a future where technology aids the critically underserved. As their programs continue to develop, they offer a compelling model for using AI to fight poverty in India and the potential for tackling global poverty with similar initiatives.

– Reuben Avis-Anciano

Reuben is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Alleviating Poverty With Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab

Microsoft’s AI for Good LabArtificial Intelligence (AI) holds significant potential in addressing global challenges, including poverty and hunger. By harnessing vast amounts of data, AI technologies can offer innovative solutions to complex problems faced by vulnerable populations. Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab is at the forefront of these efforts, providing critical tools and insights to mitigate the impacts of poverty and hunger around the world.

Using AI to Predict and Prevent Food Insecurity

Food insecurity remains one of the most significant challenges in poverty alleviation. In collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Microsoft’s AI For Good Lab conducted a study that applied machine learning to address food insecurity. The study utilized data from household surveys collected by CRS teams on the ground in southern Malawi. By integrating this data with advanced machine learning algorithms, the research developed a model capable of predicting food insecurity at the household level.

The model achieved an 83% accuracy rate in forecasting food security outcomes, providing accurate predictions up to four months in advance, demonstrating the potential of combining ongoing survey data with machine learning to offer near real-time predictive insights. With such technologies continuing to develop further, early warnings and AI predictions could help allow governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to take preemptive actions, such as distributing food supplies or providing financial assistance to vulnerable populations.

Enhancing Agricultural Productivity Through AI

Agriculture is a critical sector for poverty alleviation, particularly in developing countries where a significant portion of the population depends on farming for their livelihood. Microsoft’s AI for Good initiative has made substantial contributions to enhancing agricultural productivity through the use of AI-driven technologies. One prominent initiative involves the use of AI to provide precision farming solutions. Microsoft has developed AI tools that analyze a wide range of data, including soil health, crop conditions and local weather forecasts, to offer tailored advice to farmers.

For example, the AI platform FarmBeats, developed by Microsoft, collects and analyzes data from sensors placed in fields, drones and satellites. This information is then used to give farmers specific recommendations on when to plant crops, how much water and fertilizer to use and when to harvest. Moreover, Microsoft’s AI tools are designed to be accessible even in low-resource settings. The platform works with low-bandwidth connections and integrates with affordable sensors, making it a viable solution for farmers in remote areas. This democratization of technology is a key factor in its effectiveness, ensuring that even the most marginalized farmers can benefit from AI advancements.

Mapping Vulnerable Populations With AI

Understanding the geographical distribution of vulnerable populations is crucial for effective poverty alleviation efforts. Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, in collaboration with organizations like Planet and IHME, has developed advanced AI models to map these populations with precision. These AI models can detect patterns that indicate where populations are at the greatest risk of disasters, allowing NGOs and governments to effectively prioritize regions for infrastructure development, disaster preparedness and resource allocation.

Moreover, these AI-powered maps are not only valuable for disaster response but also for long-term planning. By identifying trends in population movement and environmental changes, policymakers can develop more sustainable poverty alleviation strategies that account for future risks and changes that may have disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations. This proactive approach is essential in ensuring that poverty reduction efforts are resilient to the impacts of rising temperatures and an ever-changing world.

The Future of AI in Poverty Alleviation

Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab is leading the charge in using AI to address some of the most significant challenges in poverty alleviation. From predicting food insecurity and enhancing agricultural productivity to mapping vulnerable populations, AI is playing a transformative role in creating a more equitable world.

– Sophia Lee

Sophia is based in Media, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Revolutionizing Learning: AI in Kenyan education

AI in Kenyan educationKenya has emerged as a hotspot for educational technology innovation in Africa. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the country’s learning landscape. AI in Kenyan education reshapes how students learn and how educators teach, using software ranging from individualized tutoring to data management and analysis algorithms.

The Competency-Based Curriculum

Recognizing the importance of preparing students for the digital age, the Kenyan government introduced the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2017. This new approach shifts away from traditional high-stakes exams and rote memorization. Instead, it focuses on enhancing learning comprehension and practical skills. The CBC emphasizes digital literacy and coding, incorporating tools like Scratch for programming and data handling. By integrating AI and digital literacy into the national curriculum, Kenya takes significant steps to equip its students with the skills they will need in an increasingly digital world.

Kytabu

Kytabu has developed several AI-powered tools designed specifically for the African educational context. Its most acclaimed product, SOMANASI, is an AI-driven personal tutoring tool that provides personalized curriculum materials, course programs and assessment questions. The application lets students rent affordable textbooks, audiobooks, assessments and courses, all accessible in the AI-supported mobile app. By enabling students to learn at their own pace, SOMANASI makes education more accessible and engaging.

Additionally, HODARI, assists teachers with grading, lesson planning and administrative tasks. The software connects individual student data from assessments to the Kytabu information management system. AI in the product helps teachers understand kids’ individual needs by analyzing performance data and identifying strengths and weaknesses. By automating these time-consuming processes, HODARI allows teachers to focus more on what they do best: teaching and supporting their students.

M-Shule

M-Shule is an edtech platform that uses AI and SMS technology to deliver personalized learning content to Kenyan primary school students, aiming to improve education outcomes in areas with limited internet access. Students interact with an AI bot that prompts them with lessons and questions they answer by text. The system analyzes the data in real-time, allowing program teams and supporting organizations to track student performance and provide targeted support where needed. M-Shule has reached more than 45,000 users, including 13,000 households from 30 Kenyan counties.

Mosabi: Financial Education for the Masses

Recognizing that education extends beyond traditional subjects, Mosabi leverages AI to provide tailored financial and business education to underserved communities in emerging markets. Lessons cover areas like financial literacy, entrepreneurship and business management. Its mobile platform uses AI-driven analytics to track user progress. Furthermore, personalized learning experiences, help small business owners and entrepreneurs improve their financial health.

Endless OS Foundation

The Endless OS Foundation provides a Linux-based operating system with preloaded educational content, productivity tools and entertainment designed for communities without internet access. Its AI capabilities curate content based on student interests, fostering curiosity-driven learning and greater engagement. Since its creation, the initiative has established 600 computer labs. This growth has significantly expanded access to digital education and resources for students across Kenya and other countries where it operates.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the integration of AI in Kenyan education shows great promise, challenges remain. A recent study across 38 out of 47 Kenyan counties found that while teachers generally have a positive attitude toward AI, many lack confidence in implementing these platforms in their classrooms. To address this, experts recommend revising teacher training curricula to include AI components. Furthermore, they suggest designing professional development programs to build teachers’ confidence in AI.

As Kenya continues to embrace AI in education, the potential for transformative change is immense. From personalized learning experiences to more efficient school management, AI helps create a more inclusive, engaging and effective education system for all levels.

Michael Murungi, Government Affairs and Public Policy Lead for Eastern Africa at Google states, “One of the biggest opportunities AI has in education is the ability to personalize learning and for the teacher to curate the learning experience for the child based on the child’s needs.”

– Lauren Thompson

Lauren is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

The Role of AI in Reducing Poverty

Role of AI in Reducing PovertyThe fight against global poverty is breaking new ground with the help of artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an amoral tool that is equally capable of both harm and help. However, there are many noteworthy ways in which it contributes to global poverty reduction. The emerging tool has already helped improve access to health care and education. Additionally, it has assisted in disaster response mitigation, particularly in regions where access is otherwise limited. For example, let’s consider the role of AI in reducing poverty in Brazil, Kenya and Bangladesh.

Health Care in Brazil

AI-based diagnostic systems can provide timely and remote access to health care> It can reduce the burden of preventable disease and improve overall health outcomes. These systems can bridge the gap between people and essential resources in remote or marginalized places.

In Brazil, AI is currently being used to improve health care access. One example is ViBe Saúde, a Brazilian telemedicine startup that uses AI algorithms to facilitate consultations between medical professionals and patients. The initiative has proven especially beneficial in rural regions where access to health care services is limited.

Education in Kenya

AI-powered educational systems can adapt to offer personalized learning experiences, which is particularly helpful in regions with limited educational resources. In Kenya, Bridge International Academies, a company that provides for-profit education, is using AI-powered digital learning platforms to help disadvantaged populations break the cycle of poverty.

Remarkably, since 2015, Bridge students who have sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam have consistently scored above the national average. Furthermore, its alumni are now in top universities in Kenya and the United States (U.S.).

Disaster Response in Bangladesh

Climate AI’s predictive analysis and relief coordination capacities can help mitigate the impact in disaster-prone regions and reduce their socioeconomic impact. Bangladesh, for instance, is highly susceptible to cyclones, floods and landslides, which can devastatingly impact vulnerable populations. AI-powered chatbots provide real-time information and enable timely evacuation and response efforts, further aiding in disaster management.

The Bangladesh government has used AI to enhance preparedness and response efforts. For example, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department uses AI algorithms for disaster risk management (DRM) to analyze weather data and issue early flood and cyclone warnings. “DRM is constantly upgraded through machine learning and artificial intelligence,” writes Abdullah Shibli, a reporter at The Daily Star.

Unemployment (And Re-Employment) in Bangladesh

While celebrating the accomplishments of the role of AI in reducing global poverty, it is also crucial to acknowledge its potential to exacerbate it. An epitomic example of this is AI’s capacity to automate the manufacturing sector. In Bangladesh, garment manufacturing is a significant source of employment and economic growth. As with many cases of hyper-industrialization, automation would cause underemployment in Bangladesh.

However, rather than exclusively displacing workers, AI also has the capacity to create more job opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, “approximately 85 million employees are anticipated to lose their jobs, while 97 million new roles may emerge.” This example illustrates the nuanced truth underlying robotics: AI’s capacity to promote harm or help is dependent on how we choose to use it. There is no reason to fear AI, as the future of its potential is a matter of our responsibility.

– Sheridan Smith

Sheridan is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, , ,

AI Is Helping Address Food Security in India With Agriculture

Food Security in IndiaIn Telangana, South India, artificial intelligence (AI) helps address food security by helping farmers. The country is a prime example of how emerging AI technology is applied to global issues. The Indian government, in collaboration with agricultural aid organizations, has launched an AI program called Saalu Baagu. This program aims to use AI-based tools to solve agricultural challenges. AI programs and emerging technologies are experiencing ongoing growth and expansion in the country.

AI and Farming

The Telangana government divided its AI implementation process into distinct phases. Phase one focused on introducing a variety of AI-based agritech services to thousands of farmers. Phase two reached more than 20,000 chili and groundnut farmers in three districts. The project began in 2022 and has received the support of various AI tech companies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Saagu Baagu program has had major success with farmers and crop yields, specifically chili crops. The program has enabled AI-focused startup companies like AgNext, a company helping farmers assess the quality and physical attributes of their chiles. Over 18 months, Indian farmers have experienced a 21% increase in plant growth per acre and a 9% decrease in pesticide usage. More than 500,000 farmers are now engaged in the program and have utilized AI tools in their farming.

The success of the Saagu Baagu signifies the potential for AI to help not just agriculture in India but also crop health on a global scale. AI has helped to address food security in India through revolutionary and adaptable technology that could work in a variety of agricultural environments. The program’s impact in Telangana has exemplified the ability of emerging AI technologies to assist modern farming techniques and strategies. Planting schedules, crop health and yield predictions are all challenges faced by farmers that AI has been able to leviate and make more efficient.

The Future of AI and Food Security

AI could help feed the world and prevent global hunger now and in the foreseeable future. “AI is going to transform the way we produce, store, distribute and market food in ways that will improve food safety, efficiency, resilience and sustainability,” said Gbola Adesogan, associate vice president and director of the Global Food Systems Institute. Efficient and sustainable farming will be the key to global food security.

AI is playing a pivotal role in addressing food security in India. Additionally, it holds promise for farmers worldwide in the future:

  1. It facilitates the analysis of vast data sets, enabling the development of resilient crops capable of withstanding various environmental challenges.
  2. AI offers valuable insights to farmers regarding soil conditions, optimal planting times and harvest periods, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity.
  3. AI technology aids in the early detection of diseases and pests, enabling proactive measures to safeguard crops and maximize yields.

AI has proven to be an incredibly useful tool in empowering farmers to face modern economic and environmental challenges. Technology will be essential to combating global food security and poverty through agriculture.

– Jacob Buckner

Jacob is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr