Emerging AI and MERL: Responsible Use of

This course examines the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) in international development and humanitarian contexts. Students will explore two critical dimensions: using MERL approaches to assess AI systems (MERL of AI) and leveraging AI tools to conduct MERL activities (AI for MERL). The course situates AI technologies within current US and global geopolitical contexts, emphasizing both practical applications and ethical challenges that influence decisions about AI use in different development and humanitarian contexts.

Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, case studies, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students will develop knowledge and competencies in evaluating AI tools, understanding their limitations and biases, and making informed decisions about their appropriate use in development and humanitarian settings. The course addresses key ethical concepts (including data privacy, bias and inclusion, climate impacts), and helps students build their practical technical skills in AI for MERL. It also supports managerial level skills such as assessing AI vendors and developing AI use policies. Special attention is given to critical perspectives on both AI and MERL, examining how power dynamics and resource inequities affect AI development and deployment in low and middle-income countries.

Students will engage with practical AI tools throughout the course, developing skills in critical assessment while maintaining awareness of ethical boundaries and professional responsibilities. The course culminates in students developing an AI use policy, integrating technical knowledge with ethical frameworks and contextual considerations relevant to their future work in international development or humanitarian assistance.