This is a hands-on opportunity for those who want to learn about how small language models, built in purposeful and controlled ways, and managed with thoughtful design, can be an alternative. merltech.org/small-is-bea...

Sign up here: merltech.org/small-is-bea...

This course is for professionals in social impact, international development, and humanitarian work who want to explore using SLMs in their work. Participants will gain an introduction to SLMs, discover how the concept of “open” manifests within SLMs, and learn how to set up an SLM for their use.

SLMs are built with fewer computational resources, they can lead to faster processing, increased possibilities on smaller devices, more privacy and security, and they can be tailored by you and your team.

Large, resource-intensive, general-purpose AI models are causing undeniable harm to the environment, the climate, and communities around the globe. Small language models, built in purposeful and controlled ways, and managed with thoughtful design, can be an alternative.

Make sure you join the Community of Practice for some much needed, critical conversations about responsible, ethical applications of NLP and Generative AI for MERL in development, humanitarian, human rights, peace building, and philanthropy work: merltech.org/nlp-cop/

On August 14, we host Mpho Primus (Institute for Artificial Intelligent Systems, University of Johannesburg) and Chido Dzinotyiwei (Vambo AI) for a conversation about African languages, linguistic complexity and ethical and inclusive AI. merltech.org/event-on-aug...

📢 On August 7, we're welcoming tech and human rights policy expert Eva Blum-Dumontet for a conversation about CHAYN’s process of building a feminist AI that embeds trauma-informed principles.

merltech.org/what-does-bu...

We're kicking off the month with a session focused on humanitarian accountability and AI use from a number of critical perspectives/several experts: merltech.org/join-the-hum...

Lastly, we were also featured in Humanitarian AI's podcast, discussing challenges associated with assessing the effectiveness of humanitarian aid activities and activities incorporating applications of artificial intelligence. merltech.org/podcast-asse...

Our new recently published report provides an overview of the use of AI in evaluation with a specific focus on democracy initiatives, and an accompanying policy brief. merltech.org/new-paper-ex...

We also shared this brief on Artificial intelligence in the humanitarian sector, in which we synthesize key information about AI’s varied applications for critical humanitarian decision-makers. merltech.org/new-brief-ar...