The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT has awarded funding for eight latest research studies to know how artificial intelligence innovations will be used to combat poverty Project AI Evidence.
The age of AI has brought with it widespread optimism and skepticism about its impact on society. To realize the total potential of AI, Project AI Evidence (PAIE) will discover which AI solutions work for whom and scale only probably the most effective, comprehensive and responsible solutions – while reducing those that might potentially cause harm.
PAIE will provide evidence of what works by bringing together governments, technology corporations, and nonprofits with world-class economists at MIT and across J-PAL's global network to guage and improve AI solutions to deep-rooted societal challenges.
The latest initiative prioritizes questions that policymakers are already asking: Do AI-powered teaching tools help all children learn? How can early flood warning systems help people affected by natural disasters? Can machine learning algorithms help reduce deforestation within the Amazon? Can AI-powered chatbots help improve people's health? In the approaching years, PAIE will conduct a series of funding competitions to submit proposals for the evaluation of AI tools that address questions equivalent to these and lots of others.
PAIE is financially supported by a grant from Google.org, philanthropic support from Community Jameel, a grant from Canada's International Development Research Center and UK International Development, and a collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services. Through a grant from Eric and Wendy Schmidt, awarded on the suggestion of Schmidt Sciences, the initiative will even explore generative AI within the workplace, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Alex Diaz, head of AI for social good at Google.org, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with MIT and J-PAL, already leaders on this space, on Project AI Evidence. AI has great potential to assist everyone, but we urgently need to check what works, what doesn't, and why if we’re to understand that potential.”
“Artificial intelligence holds extraordinary potential, but provided that the tools, knowledge and power to shape it are accessible to all – including contextual research and evidence about what works and what doesn’t,” added Maggie Gorman-Velez, vp of strategy, regions and policy at IDRC. “That’s why IDRC is proud to support this latest evaluation work as a part of our ongoing commitment to responsibly scaling demonstrably protected, inclusive and locally relevant AI innovations.”
J-PAL is uniquely positioned to contribute to understanding the impact of AI on society: Since its founding in 2003, J-PAL's network of researchers has conducted over 2,500 rigorous assessments of social policies and programs all over the world. Through PAIE, J-PAL will bring together leading experts in AI technology, research and social policy, consistent with MIT President Sally Kornbluth's deal with generative AI as strategic priority.
PAIE is led by Professor Joshua Blumenstock the University of California at Berkeley; J-PAL Global Executive Director Iqbal Dhaliwal; and professor David Yanagizawa Drott the University of Zurich.
New assessments of pressing political questions
The studies funded by PAIE in the primary round of the competition examine pressing issues in key sectors equivalent to education, health, climate and economic opportunity.
How can AI be handiest within the classroom and help each students and teachers?
Available Research shows that personalized learning is very important for college kids but difficult to implement with limited resources. In Kenya, social education company EIDU has developed an AI tool that helps teachers discover learning gaps and adjust their day by day lesson plans. In India, non-governmental organization (NGO) Pratham is developing an AI tool to extend the impact and scope of evidence-based insights Teaching at the precise level Approach. J-PAL researchers Daron Acemoglu, Iqbal Dhaliwal and Francisco Gallego will work with each organizations to check the impact and potential of those different use cases Teacher productivity and student learning.
Can AI tools reduce gender bias in schools?
Researchers are working with the Italian Ministry of Education to evaluate whether AI tools might help Close gender gaps in student performance by addressing teachers' unconscious biases. J-PAL members Michela Carlana and Will Dobbie, together with Francesca Miserocchi and Eleonora Patacchini, will explore the impact of two AI tools, one which helps teachers predict performance and a second that gives real-time feedback on the range of their decisions.
Can AI help profession counselors discover more job opportunities?
In Kenya, researchers are testing whether an AI tool can do that Identify missed skills and unlock employment opportunitiesespecially for young people, women and other people without formal education. Working with NGOs Swahilipot and Tabiya, Jasmin Baier and J-PAL researcher Christian Meyer will assess how the tool is changing people's job search strategies and employment. This study will make clear AI as a complement moderately than a substitute for human expertise in profession counseling.
I'm looking forward to
As the usage of AI within the social sector continues to evolve, these assessments are a primary step toward discovering effective, responsible solutions that may go probably the most to alleviating poverty and inequality.
J-PAL's Dhaliwal notes, “J-PAL has a protracted history of evaluating modern technologies and their ability to enhance people's lives. While AI has incredible potential, we must maximize its advantages and minimize potential harms. We are grateful to our donors, sponsors and collaborators for his or her catalytic support in launching PAIE, which is able to help us do exactly that by continuing to expand the evidence on the impact of AI innovations.”
J-PAL can also be in search of latest employees who share its vision of discovering and expanding real-world AI solutions. It goals to support more governments and social sector organizations wanting to make use of AI responsibly and can proceed to expand funding for brand spanking new evaluations and supply policy guidance based on the most recent research.
To learn more about Project AI Evidence, subscribe to the J-PAL newsletter or contact paie@povertyactionlab.org.
