Leveraging AI Across the Evaluation Cycle: Insights from MDB evaluations
Webinar | Online
About the Event
Evaluators frequently work with large volumes of textual evidence, including evaluation reports, policy and administrative documents, and qualitative sources. Reviewing and synthesizing these materials can be highly time-consuming. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities to accelerate the analysis of large bodies of text, reducing the time needed for document screening, evidence extraction and thematic analysis while enabling evaluators to work more efficiently. In this context, this webinar draws on the practical experience of the Independent Development Evaluation function (IDEV) of the African Development Bank in deploying AI tools across two distinct evaluation modalities: evaluation syntheses and thematic evaluations.
The session aims to contribute to the broader Glocal 2026 conversation on responsible and effective AI utilization in evaluation practice, offering evidence-based insights from Multilateral Development Institutions’ evaluation functions.
The session will offer participants:
- Concrete, experience-based examples of AI applications in evaluation, grounded in IDEV’s real evaluation products rather than theoretical possibilities.
- A practical framework for understanding where AI adds value in the evaluation process and where it does not, helping participants make informed decisions about AI adoption in their own contexts.
- Thoughtful consideration of the requirements, protections, and quality checks needed to ensure AI is used responsibly in evaluation.
- An evidence-based perspective from an MDB’s/UN agency’s independent evaluation function, contributing to the diversity of viewpoints on AI in evaluation.
After the presentation IDEV’s experience, a panel discussion will follow where other MDBs/ UN Agencies will share their insights on the matter. Q&A will conclude the conversation.
The session aims to contribute to the broader Glocal 2026 conversation on responsible and effective AI utilization in evaluation practice, offering evidence-based insights from Multilateral Development Institutions’ evaluation functions.
The session will offer participants:
- Concrete, experience-based examples of AI applications in evaluation, grounded in IDEV’s real evaluation products rather than theoretical possibilities.
- A practical framework for understanding where AI adds value in the evaluation process and where it does not, helping participants make informed decisions about AI adoption in their own contexts.
- Thoughtful consideration of the requirements, protections, and quality checks needed to ensure AI is used responsibly in evaluation.
- An evidence-based perspective from an MDB’s/UN agency’s independent evaluation function, contributing to the diversity of viewpoints on AI in evaluation.
After the presentation IDEV’s experience, a panel discussion will follow where other MDBs/ UN Agencies will share their insights on the matter. Q&A will conclude the conversation.
Speakers
| 名称 | 标题 | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Daouda Drabo | Data scientist, IDEV, AfDB | Data Scientist at IDEV, with over eight years' experience in data science, data-driven analysis and applied research in economics, health, agroecology, and public policy, Daouda has worked with national institutions and international organizations. He holds a PhD in Economics and a Master’s degree in Economic Analysis and Policy from the University of Burgundy, France, as well as professional certificates in Spatial Data Science from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), and AI and Digital Transformation in Government, developed by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. |
| Hansdeep Khaira | Senior Evaluation Officer, Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE), IFAD | Senior Evaluation Officer at IFAD's Independent Office of Evaluation, Hansdeep Khaira has over 10 years of evaluation experience spanning agriculture, rural development, and humanitarian fields. Previously Senior Evaluation Officer at WFP, he holds a Master's in Agricultural Economics from SOAS, University of London, and a Bachelor's in Commerce from Mumbai University. |
| Oguz Ceylan | Lead Evaluation Specialist, Independent Evaluation Department, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) | Lead Evaluation Specialist in the Independent Evaluation Department of the Islamic Development Bank since 2013, Oguz Ceylan leads post-evaluations, thematic and sector evaluations across energy, transport, health, and water. Previously at the Development Bank of Turkey, he holds an LLM in Law and Economics, an MSc in Energy Finance, and a BSc in Civil Engineering. Hansdeep Khaira |
| Andrew Anguko | Chief Quality and Methods Advisor, Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV), African Development Bank Group | Chief Quality and Methods Advisor at AfDB-IDEV, Andrew Anguko brings over 20 years of experience in development evaluation, methodology, and quality assurance. Previously Global Impact Evaluation Advisor at Oxfam GB and Senior M&E Manager at USAID, he holds an MSc in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the University of the Witwatersrand and a certificate in AI- Implications for Business Strategy from MIT. |
Moderators
| 名称 | 标题 | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Howard White | Senior Research Associate, REC | Professor of Evidence-Based Public Policy, Lanzhou University Senior Rese | Senior Research Associate at REC and Professor of Evidence-Based Public Policy at Lanzhou University, Howard White is a globally recognised evaluation leader. Founding Executive Director of 3ie (2008–2015) and former CEO of The Campbell Collaboration, he serves on expert advisory groups for WHO, OECD, and IFAD, and has received evaluation awards from Benin and Uganda. |