Hands-on case studies and exercises using AI tools for MEL:
Registrations are ongoing. Join anytime to learn at your own pace. Pricing details are listed below.
Unlock your AI Skills
with expert led and practical lessons.
The Development CAFE in partnership with MEL and AI experts, offers an interactive e learning course for development professionals looking to deepen their understanding of AI applications in MEL and International Development.
Be a part of an AI Global Community of Practice
All course participants will be included in community of practice for regular exchange of information and knowledge beyond the completion of the course.
Key Course
Highlights
- AI in Evaluation Cycle
- AI in Real time Monitoring using Dashboards
- AI in Data Collection
- Analysis, Synthesis and Reporting using Gen AI
- Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) AI
- AI in Program and Project design cycle
- Ethical and Responsible use of AI
- Cybersafe while using Gen AI
- Data story telling and narrative AI
- Customized for Individual needs
Target Audience
International development professionals, Research and MEL specialists, Data scientists, NGOs, Policy Makers, Tech Geeks & Private Sector. Designed by global MEL experts & AI engineers.
Learn Online
Step into a learning environment where responsible AI meets real-world development practice—through a self-paced e-learning course, with mentor-led sessions tailored to your role, pace, and context.
Customized Learning
Whether you're a MEL professional designing programs, implementing evaluations, or exploring AI technologies, our adaptable modules, mentor-guided exercises, and accessible tools ensure personalized, flexible, and impactful learning—anytime, anywhere.
Disclaimer
This course uses multiple AI platforms for learning purposes only. We do not endorse them.
Course Overview
This course is designed to equip MEL professionals, Program Implementors, researchers, and development practitioners with the skills, insights, and tools needed to responsibly integrate Artificial Intelligence into their monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks. The course emphasizes practical applications, real-world case studies, ethical considerations, and strategic implementation tailored for the development sector. Each student's unique needs will be met.
Practical Training
Hands-on case studies using AI in MEL including NLP for analysis, predictive models, automated data cleaning, sentiment mining, AI dashboards and report generation for better insight delivery.
Expert Insights
Lessons from global AI use in development including food security prediction, remote sensing, expert insights, common pitfalls, and tips for adoption in low-tech or conservative organizations.
Ethical AI Guidelines
Best practices for responsible AI in MEL include addressing bias, ensuring data privacy, applying ethical principles, avoiding data colonialism, using impact assessments, and building inclusive systems.
Implementation Strategies
Roadmaps for AI in MEL include readiness assessments, phased adoption plans, resource planning, team change management, performance monitoring, and building partnerships with tech and research experts.
Bonus: Course Extras
Includes downloadable AI-readiness checklists, ethical review forms, data strategy templates, access to curated MEL-relevant AI tools, and forums for peer exchange and support. Cybersecurity Checklist.
Certificate of Completion
Receive an official certificate upon completing the program.
Additional Course Info
- Introduction to AI tools commonly used in MEL (e.g., natural language processing for qualitative analysis, predictive analytics for outcome forecasting).
- Text analysis and sentiment mining on survey and focus group data using AI platforms.
- Automating data collection and cleaning using AI-assisted tools (e.g., chatbots, form automation, machine learning classifiers).
- Building basic predictive models to anticipate program outcomes or risks.
- Visualization exercises: using AI-based platforms to create dynamic dashboards.
- Data storytelling: Leveraging AI to synthesize insights and generate reports automatically.
- Using AI in Evaluation across all stages from Design to Utilization.
Lessons from global practitioners using AI in development contexts:
- Case study 1: How an international NGO used machine learning to predict food security risks in East Africa.
- Case study 2: Applying AI-driven remote sensing for rapid environmental impact assessments.
- Guest lectures/interviews with MEL specialists who successfully incorporated AI into evaluations for USAID, UN agencies, and large nonprofits.
- Common pitfalls and lessons learned: what worked, what didn’t, and why.
- Real-world tips for introducing AI into conservative or low-tech organizational environments.
Best practices for responsible AI adoption:
- Understanding bias in AI models and its implications for MEL outcomes.
- Data privacy and protection in AI-enabled MEL (GDPR, local laws, informed consent).
- Principles of ethical AI: fairness, accountability, transparency, and explainability (FATE).
- Addressing “data colonialism”: ensuring that AI applications in the Global South are participatory and equitable.
- Tools and frameworks for conducting Ethical Impact Assessments before adopting AI.
- Building inclusive AI systems: considering gender, diversity, and marginalized groups in AI models.
Roadmaps for integrating AI into MEL frameworks:
- Step-by-step guide to conducting an organizational AI-readiness assessment.
- Designing a phased AI adoption plan: pilot projects, scaling, and full integration.
- Resource planning: budgeting for AI tools, training, and data management.
- Change management: preparing teams for cultural shifts around AI adoption.
- Monitoring AI performance over time: setting benchmarks, KPIs, and feedback loops.
- Building partnerships with tech providers, data scientists, and research firms.
- Downloadable templates: AI-readiness checklist, ethical AI review forms, data strategy blueprints.
- Access to a curated library of AI tools and platforms relevant for MEL.
- Discussion forums and peer exchange groups for sharing experiences and troubleshooting.
Course starts 26 September 2025 onwards. Will continue to be live. Register anytime and utilize our subsidized pricing.
Global North
Professional: $350
Student: $225
Currently Unemployed: $165
Global South
Professional: $275
Student: $125
Currently Unemployed: $115
Note: If 2 or more members from same organization or school join, a 15% discount applies to all.
Please review our cancellation and refund policy here.
Mentors
Kerry Bruce
Kerry Bruce is a global development expert specializing in research, evaluation, digital innovation, and AI, with 30 years' experience.
Silva Ferretti
Silva Ferretti is a consultant using participation, Al, and creativity to simplify complexity and support inclusive, responsive humanitarian and development efforts.
Hayat Askar
Independent evaluation and public policy consultant with 15+ years’ experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and project management, holding a Graduate Diploma in Program Evaluation.
Valentine Gandhi
Valentine J Gandhi, is a senior Evaluation, Innovation and Tech4Good specialist, with over 20 years of interdisciplinary experience at both field and policy level.
Chris Perry
Principal Consultant & Generative AI Lead at Itad with 25+ years in evaluation, AI, and international development expertise worldwide.
FAQ
It's a self paced programme with Mentor support, meaning, each student will be allotted a mentor to support them to discuss their unique situation. During the course you will be able to choose your mentor.
The course registration for 1st cohort will end September 20th, pricing will change after
It's a 6 week programme, once enrolled, your course access is valid for 90 days, so you have until 90 days to complete the course.
If one company registers at least 5 individuals, we can organize a customized session tailored to your needs.
Refund Policy
Full refunds minus a 30% penalty and admin fee (calculated on the total course cost) can be requested up to 10 working days before the course start date.
We cannot issue refunds within 10 working days of the course start date.
We do not offer partial refunds. Please ensure you can attend all modules before registering.
Please check the amount you transfer based on your category, while we can try our best to refund a wrong transaction, based on past experience it's extremely difficult if you are based in a blacklisted country from Paypal or other banks to send money from Indonesia.
Please verify the correct amount and ensure you bear the cost of banking fees or other charges, we are a Global South based NGO and have subsidized this course to build awareness on AI for MEL.
Registration Transfer
You may transfer your registration to another person up to 72 hours before the course begins.
We cannot transfer registration or provide refunds or vouchers for missed modules after a course begins.
Cancellation by The Development CAFE
If a course is cancelled by us, all participants will receive a full refund.
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