Blog

AI tools hold immense promise, but real-world outcomes often depend on how they interact with people and contexts. Research shows that factors like access, comprehension, trust, and opportunity what experts call “inflection points” can determine whether AI interventions succeed or fail. Case studies from Africa and beyond reveal that even high-performing models only deliver impact when these social and institutional conditions align

The AI Evidence Alliance for Social Impact (AEASI), launched at the AI for Africa Conference, brings together global partners including J-PAL, FCDO, IDRC, IDinsight, Community Jameel, and Google.org—to strengthen evidence-based AI policymaking across Africa and Asia. Building on AI4D’s work in ethical, locally-driven innovation, AEASI embeds rigorous evaluation into AI projects to assess effectiveness, equity, and social impact. By generating actionable insights on which AI tools work, for whom, and under what conditions, the alliance supports responsible scaling, informs policy, and strengthens local research leadership.