MERL Tech Initiative
@merltech.bsky.social
We care about responsible monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) in the development, humanitarian, peace building and social sectors. Join our natural language processing (NLP-CoP) community of practice: https://merltech.org/nlp-cop/
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Training by The MERL Tech Initiative - MERL Tech
Who we are The MERL Tech Initiative (MTI) is a social venture that sits at the intersection of digital technology, human-centered information and communication, and the social sector. We support thou...
merltech.org
📣 The MERL Tech Initiative offers trainings for orgs/individuals interested in responsible, ethical, realistic design, use, and governance of digital tech and digital data.
Our trainings are designed based on decades of experience in MERL + critical approaches to tech.
merltech.org/trainings/
Our trainings are designed based on decades of experience in MERL + critical approaches to tech.
merltech.org/trainings/
The MERL Tech Initiative is pleased to launch our publication, “Made In Africa Artificial Intelligence Approaches In Monitoring, Evaluation, Research And Learning: A Practitioner Perspective And Landscape Study”, authored by Varaidzo Faith Magodo-Matimba.
merltech.org/africa-ai-me...
merltech.org/africa-ai-me...
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The MERL Tech Initiative is pleased to launch our publication, “Made In Africa Artificial Intelligence Approaches In Monitoring, Evaluation, Research And Learning: A Practitioner Perspective And Landscape Study”, authored by Varaidzo Faith Magodo-Matimba.
merltech.org/africa-ai-me...
merltech.org/africa-ai-me...
Reposted by MERL Tech Initiative
What could happen if we decenter large, resource-intensive, general-purpose AI models, which cause undeniable harm to the environment, the climate, and communities around the globe?
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
October 13, 2025 at 7:50 AM
What could happen if we decenter large, resource-intensive, general-purpose AI models, which cause undeniable harm to the environment, the climate, and communities around the globe?
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
What could happen if we decenter large, resource-intensive, general-purpose AI models, which cause undeniable harm to the environment, the climate, and communities around the globe?
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
October 13, 2025 at 7:50 AM
What could happen if we decenter large, resource-intensive, general-purpose AI models, which cause undeniable harm to the environment, the climate, and communities around the globe?
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
Later this month, we are hosting a 2-day course for those who want to explore using SLMs in their work. 👇
📢 We are hosting a course on Small Language Models (SLMs). Join us on October 30 and November 06 for a hands-on, 2-day workshop led by experts Cathy Richards and Jonas Norén.
merltech.org/small-is-bea...
merltech.org/small-is-bea...
Small is Beautiful: Learn what SLMs can do for you - MERL Tech
The MERL Tech Initiative is hosting a course on Small Language Models (SLMs). Join our workshop on October 30 and November 06 to learn from experts Cathy Richards and Jonas Norén.
merltech.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:07 AM
📢 We are hosting a course on Small Language Models (SLMs). Join us on October 30 and November 06 for a hands-on, 2-day workshop led by experts Cathy Richards and Jonas Norén.
merltech.org/small-is-bea...
merltech.org/small-is-bea...
Reposted by MERL Tech Initiative
The MERL Tech Initiative and Evaluation + Learning Consulting are partnering to offer a new virtual training on Data Analytics with AI on September 10 and 17, led by experts Liz DiLuzio, Zach Tilton and Linda Raftree.
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
Intermediate Data Analytics with AI: Digging Deeper with LLMs - MERL Tech
The MERL Tech Initiative and Evaluation + Learning Consulting are partnering to offer a new virtual training on Data Analytics with AI on September 10 and 17, led by experts Liz DiLuzio, Zach Tilton a...
merltech.org
August 8, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The MERL Tech Initiative and Evaluation + Learning Consulting are partnering to offer a new virtual training on Data Analytics with AI on September 10 and 17, led by experts Liz DiLuzio, Zach Tilton and Linda Raftree.
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
The NLP-CoP is hosting an event on August 21 to discuss how these AI directives may affect our work and what opportunities exist for advocates to raise concerns and fight for an approach to AI that is ethical and rooted in public well-being and sustainability. merltech.org/event-what-d...
Event: What does the US AI Action Plan mean for the use of AI in the social sector? - MERL Tech
Join the discussion on how these AI directives affect our work as MERL Professionals and non-profit workers and what opportunities to advocate for an approach to AI that is ethical, responsible, and r...
merltech.org
August 11, 2025 at 7:15 AM
The NLP-CoP is hosting an event on August 21 to discuss how these AI directives may affect our work and what opportunities exist for advocates to raise concerns and fight for an approach to AI that is ethical and rooted in public well-being and sustainability. merltech.org/event-what-d...
The MERL Tech Initiative and Evaluation + Learning Consulting are partnering to offer a new virtual training on Data Analytics with AI on September 10 and 17, led by experts Liz DiLuzio, Zach Tilton and Linda Raftree.
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
Intermediate Data Analytics with AI: Digging Deeper with LLMs - MERL Tech
The MERL Tech Initiative and Evaluation + Learning Consulting are partnering to offer a new virtual training on Data Analytics with AI on September 10 and 17, led by experts Liz DiLuzio, Zach Tilton a...
merltech.org
August 8, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The MERL Tech Initiative and Evaluation + Learning Consulting are partnering to offer a new virtual training on Data Analytics with AI on September 10 and 17, led by experts Liz DiLuzio, Zach Tilton and Linda Raftree.
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
Register in the following link to join: merltech.org/intermediate...
Reposted by MERL Tech Initiative
Current concerns about AI’s adverse climate impacts are largely confined to operational energy and water use by data centers. While these impacts are important, they represent only a fraction of the ways in which AI can influence climate outcomes, write Felippa Amanta and Charlie Wilson.
The Overlooked Climate Risks of Artificial Intelligence | TechPolicy.Press
Felippa Amanta and Charlie Wilson explore how AI contributes to climate risks beyond data centers.
buff.ly
July 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Current concerns about AI’s adverse climate impacts are largely confined to operational energy and water use by data centers. While these impacts are important, they represent only a fraction of the ways in which AI can influence climate outcomes, write Felippa Amanta and Charlie Wilson.
August will be a busy month at the Natural Language Processing Community of Practice! 🧵https://merltech.org/events/
July 29, 2025 at 8:44 AM
August will be a busy month at the Natural Language Processing Community of Practice! 🧵https://merltech.org/events/
We're launching our AI and Climate Working Group on July 17 at 10 am ET!
Join us if you’d like to hear about and help shape our plans for the rest of the year, as well as discuss all the ways how climate and AI intersect. merltech.org/join-us-on-j...
Join us if you’d like to hear about and help shape our plans for the rest of the year, as well as discuss all the ways how climate and AI intersect. merltech.org/join-us-on-j...
Join us on July 17 for the Climate + AI Working Group Kick-off Call - MERL Tech
We are launching a new AI and Climate Working Group on July 17! Join if you’d like to discuss all the ways how climate and AI intersect.
merltech.org
July 1, 2025 at 10:25 AM
We're launching our AI and Climate Working Group on July 17 at 10 am ET!
Join us if you’d like to hear about and help shape our plans for the rest of the year, as well as discuss all the ways how climate and AI intersect. merltech.org/join-us-on-j...
Join us if you’d like to hear about and help shape our plans for the rest of the year, as well as discuss all the ways how climate and AI intersect. merltech.org/join-us-on-j...
What can we learn from emerging evidence of GenAI use in Social and Behaviour Change chatbots?
Our NLP-CoP brought together 6 organisations all using GenAI to deploy and evaluate SBC interventions. Here's what we've learned:
merltech.org/what-can-we-...
Our NLP-CoP brought together 6 organisations all using GenAI to deploy and evaluate SBC interventions. Here's what we've learned:
merltech.org/what-can-we-...
What can we learn from emerging evidence of GenAI use in Social and Behaviour Change chatbots? - MERL Tech
The SBC & AI Working Group brought together 6 organisations all using GenAI to deploy and evaluate SBC interventions.
merltech.org
June 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
What can we learn from emerging evidence of GenAI use in Social and Behaviour Change chatbots?
Our NLP-CoP brought together 6 organisations all using GenAI to deploy and evaluate SBC interventions. Here's what we've learned:
merltech.org/what-can-we-...
Our NLP-CoP brought together 6 organisations all using GenAI to deploy and evaluate SBC interventions. Here's what we've learned:
merltech.org/what-can-we-...
How are qualitative researchers navigating the use of AI tools by research participants? This month, the Ethics and Governance Working Group (EGWG) at the Natural Language Processing Community of Practice (NLP-CoP) is discussing the use of AI by research respondents.
merltech.org/qualitative-...
merltech.org/qualitative-...
Qualitative researchers are not OK: adapting to the use of AI by research respondents - MERL Tech
A conversation about the use of AI tools by research respondents, how this impacts qualitative research, researchers themselves, and how it connects to respondents' agency, and long-standing issues wi...
merltech.org
June 17, 2025 at 7:58 AM
How are qualitative researchers navigating the use of AI tools by research participants? This month, the Ethics and Governance Working Group (EGWG) at the Natural Language Processing Community of Practice (NLP-CoP) is discussing the use of AI by research respondents.
merltech.org/qualitative-...
merltech.org/qualitative-...
Technosolutionism, magical fixes, and lack of oversight: As one of our speakers noted during our event, “People in leadership positions are moving fast and breaking things, but when we’re talking about people’s lives, that isn’t a good thing.”
merltech.org/event-recap-...
merltech.org/event-recap-...
Event recap: “Should we be using AI right now?” A conversation about the ethical challenges of the current moment - MERL Tech
We gathered over 90 members of the NLP-CoP to discuss the ethical challenges of using AI in the current moment. Read the key takeaways.
merltech.org
June 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Technosolutionism, magical fixes, and lack of oversight: As one of our speakers noted during our event, “People in leadership positions are moving fast and breaking things, but when we’re talking about people’s lives, that isn’t a good thing.”
merltech.org/event-recap-...
merltech.org/event-recap-...
🧵This week at The MERL Tech Initiative, we published a bunch of new resources! 👇
May 29, 2025 at 10:58 AM
🧵This week at The MERL Tech Initiative, we published a bunch of new resources! 👇
📣 The MERL Tech Initiative offers trainings for orgs/individuals interested in responsible, ethical, realistic design, use, and governance of digital tech and digital data.
Our trainings are designed based on decades of experience in MERL + critical approaches to tech.
merltech.org/trainings/
Our trainings are designed based on decades of experience in MERL + critical approaches to tech.
merltech.org/trainings/
Training by The MERL Tech Initiative - MERL Tech
Who we are The MERL Tech Initiative (MTI) is a social venture that sits at the intersection of digital technology, human-centered information and communication, and the social sector. We support thou...
merltech.org
May 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
📣 The MERL Tech Initiative offers trainings for orgs/individuals interested in responsible, ethical, realistic design, use, and governance of digital tech and digital data.
Our trainings are designed based on decades of experience in MERL + critical approaches to tech.
merltech.org/trainings/
Our trainings are designed based on decades of experience in MERL + critical approaches to tech.
merltech.org/trainings/
We just released a new AI Vendor Assessment Tool designed for folks in the international development, humanitarian, and social impact sectors who need to assess AI vendors but don't have specialized knowledge in AI systems. Check it out and give us some feedback! merltech.org/new-resource...
New resource: Tool for Assessing AI Vendors - MERL Tech
Revolution Impact and MTI are publishing an AI Vendor assessment tool designed for decision-makers in international development, humanitarian, and social impact.
merltech.org
May 6, 2025 at 5:56 PM
We just released a new AI Vendor Assessment Tool designed for folks in the international development, humanitarian, and social impact sectors who need to assess AI vendors but don't have specialized knowledge in AI systems. Check it out and give us some feedback! merltech.org/new-resource...
On March 12, we hosted a webinar with Gerard Atkinson, who shared his research comparing various language models on standard evaluation tasks, such as qualitative text analysis and the use of rubrics to assess documents.
In case you missed it, here's an event recap: merltech.org/event-recap-...
In case you missed it, here's an event recap: merltech.org/event-recap-...
Event Recap: Tests of Large and Small Language Models on Common Evaluation Tasks - MERL Tech
On March 12, 2025, the NLP Community of Practice's Sandbox Working Group hosted a webinar featuring Gerard Atkinson, Director at ARTD Consultants (Australia), who presented findings from his research ...
merltech.org
April 24, 2025 at 8:24 AM
On March 12, we hosted a webinar with Gerard Atkinson, who shared his research comparing various language models on standard evaluation tasks, such as qualitative text analysis and the use of rubrics to assess documents.
In case you missed it, here's an event recap: merltech.org/event-recap-...
In case you missed it, here's an event recap: merltech.org/event-recap-...
The MERL Tech Initiative developed guidelines to support Girl Effect's work on AI-powered Sexual and Reproductive Health chatbots.
We are happy to share this comprehensive, accessible set of guidelines to support development of social and behaviour change chatbots: merltech.org/girl-effect-...
We are happy to share this comprehensive, accessible set of guidelines to support development of social and behaviour change chatbots: merltech.org/girl-effect-...
Girl Effect Guidelines on Ethical AI-Powered Social & Behaviour Change Chatbots - MERL Tech
The MERL Tech Initiative developed guidelines to support Girl Effect's work on AI-powered Sexual and Reproductive Health chatbots.
merltech.org
April 21, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The MERL Tech Initiative developed guidelines to support Girl Effect's work on AI-powered Sexual and Reproductive Health chatbots.
We are happy to share this comprehensive, accessible set of guidelines to support development of social and behaviour change chatbots: merltech.org/girl-effect-...
We are happy to share this comprehensive, accessible set of guidelines to support development of social and behaviour change chatbots: merltech.org/girl-effect-...
📖New book review on our website: “'Technocolonialism' offers a mirror for humanitarian actions of the past, as well as a forward-looking litmus test for a more reflexive humanitarian practice.”
merltech.org/reviewing-mi...
merltech.org/reviewing-mi...
Reviewing Mirca Madianou’s new book, “Technocolonialism: When Tech for Good is Harmful” - MERL Tech
Book review: Madianou's ‘Technocolonialism' expands humanitarian viewpoint beyond the moment of humanitarian intervention to consider technological uptake across space and time.
merltech.org
April 2, 2025 at 9:20 AM
📖New book review on our website: “'Technocolonialism' offers a mirror for humanitarian actions of the past, as well as a forward-looking litmus test for a more reflexive humanitarian practice.”
merltech.org/reviewing-mi...
merltech.org/reviewing-mi...
📣 We’re thrilled to welcome Varaidzo Matimba to the role of AI+Africa Lead for the NLP-CoP, thanks to The Hewlett Foundation and its support for our AI+African MERL Working Group.
Learn more about Vari and the work she'll be doing here: merltech.org/welcoming-ou...
Learn more about Vari and the work she'll be doing here: merltech.org/welcoming-ou...
Welcoming our new AI+Africa Lead for the NLP-CoP: Vari Matimba - MERL Tech
We’re thrilled to welcome Varaidzo Matimba to the role of AI+Africa Lead for the Natural Language Processing Community of Practice (NLP-CoP).
merltech.org
April 1, 2025 at 9:57 AM
📣 We’re thrilled to welcome Varaidzo Matimba to the role of AI+Africa Lead for the NLP-CoP, thanks to The Hewlett Foundation and its support for our AI+African MERL Working Group.
Learn more about Vari and the work she'll be doing here: merltech.org/welcoming-ou...
Learn more about Vari and the work she'll be doing here: merltech.org/welcoming-ou...
Reposted by MERL Tech Initiative
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐈 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧?
🔎 A new guide by @merltech.bsky.social & the SVRI explores the potential applications and risks of using #GenAI to support research on violence against women.
➡️ Access the guide: lnkd.in/dmKmrJa6
🔎 A new guide by @merltech.bsky.social & the SVRI explores the potential applications and risks of using #GenAI to support research on violence against women.
➡️ Access the guide: lnkd.in/dmKmrJa6
March 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐈 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧?
🔎 A new guide by @merltech.bsky.social & the SVRI explores the potential applications and risks of using #GenAI to support research on violence against women.
➡️ Access the guide: lnkd.in/dmKmrJa6
🔎 A new guide by @merltech.bsky.social & the SVRI explores the potential applications and risks of using #GenAI to support research on violence against women.
➡️ Access the guide: lnkd.in/dmKmrJa6
📣 New guide for those thinking about using GenAI in research on violence against women.
We partnered with @thesvri.bsky.social to lay out big picture, structural, and ethics questions that researchers should ask before using GenAI for violence against women research.
merltech.org/new-guide-ke...
We partnered with @thesvri.bsky.social to lay out big picture, structural, and ethics questions that researchers should ask before using GenAI for violence against women research.
merltech.org/new-guide-ke...
New guide: key questions to ask before using GenAI for research on violence against women - MERL Tech
SVRI and The MERL Tech Initiative have developed a guide to support researchers with critical literacy to make decisions about GenAI tools in research on violence against women.
merltech.org
March 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
📣 New guide for those thinking about using GenAI in research on violence against women.
We partnered with @thesvri.bsky.social to lay out big picture, structural, and ethics questions that researchers should ask before using GenAI for violence against women research.
merltech.org/new-guide-ke...
We partnered with @thesvri.bsky.social to lay out big picture, structural, and ethics questions that researchers should ask before using GenAI for violence against women research.
merltech.org/new-guide-ke...
We hosted a panel at #RightsCon to discuss the state of M&E of humanitarian AI and the kinds of M&E frameworks necessary to ensure the sector can effectively assess AI tools.
Key takeaways from the convo here: merltech.org/rightscon-re...
Key takeaways from the convo here: merltech.org/rightscon-re...
RightsCon Recap - Assessing humanitarian AI: what M&E frameworks do humanitarians need in the face of emerging AI? - MERL Tech
On February 26th MTI convened a RightsCon Panel that included Linda Raftree - MTI founder, Quito Tsui - MTI Core Collaborator, Helen McEIhinney - Executive Director CDAC , Heather Leson - Digital In...
merltech.org
March 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
We hosted a panel at #RightsCon to discuss the state of M&E of humanitarian AI and the kinds of M&E frameworks necessary to ensure the sector can effectively assess AI tools.
Key takeaways from the convo here: merltech.org/rightscon-re...
Key takeaways from the convo here: merltech.org/rightscon-re...
📢 Attending CSW in NY? Join us on March 17, 4 pm!
We're partnering with CNN As Equals for an event on the role of media in raising awareness and changing perspectives around online violence. merltech.org/events/tech-...
We're partnering with CNN As Equals for an event on the role of media in raising awareness and changing perspectives around online violence. merltech.org/events/tech-...
Tech Salon: March 17 - How can media tell effective, real stories about online violence against women and girls? - MERL Tech
Join the Technology Salon for an exciting afternoon conversation over tea, coffee and snacks with journalists, technologists and data experts who are exploring the intersection of tech, media and onli...
merltech.org
March 7, 2025 at 8:19 AM
📢 Attending CSW in NY? Join us on March 17, 4 pm!
We're partnering with CNN As Equals for an event on the role of media in raising awareness and changing perspectives around online violence. merltech.org/events/tech-...
We're partnering with CNN As Equals for an event on the role of media in raising awareness and changing perspectives around online violence. merltech.org/events/tech-...
📖 We just published a new paper by Dr. Savita Bailur and Medhavi Hassija examining how GenAI impacts women’s participation in key areas and highlighting the urgent need to address biases, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and digital divides.
Read now: merltech.org/why-gender-i...
Read now: merltech.org/why-gender-i...
Why gender inclusion in GenAI matters now more than ever - MERL Tech
This paper examines GenAI's impacts on women’s participation in key areas and highlights the urgent need to address biases, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and existing inequalities.
merltech.org
March 6, 2025 at 12:22 PM
📖 We just published a new paper by Dr. Savita Bailur and Medhavi Hassija examining how GenAI impacts women’s participation in key areas and highlighting the urgent need to address biases, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and digital divides.
Read now: merltech.org/why-gender-i...
Read now: merltech.org/why-gender-i...