Innovating for inclusive impact

Dear friends, partners, and supporters,

Re-joining IDinsight as CEO in 2024 has been inspiring and eye-opening. As an organization on the cutting edge of data and evidence use, it has been impossible to ignore the extraordinary pace of technological advancement disrupting our sector, including leaps in the applications of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has reshaped how many of us work, learn, and interact, presenting transformative possibilities across sectors. But as exciting as these opportunities are, many are also asking: who benefits from this revolution? How do we ensure these innovations uplift not just the privileged but the world’s most vulnerable?

I’m proud that at IDinsight, we’re not just asking these questions––we’re answering them through action.

Our mission has always been to empower leaders with data and evidence. And now, we’re expanding what that vision encompasses. We’re creating tools that put powerful decision-making capabilities directly into the hands of communities through generative AI. Farmers, migrant workers, community health workers, and young mothers can and should be equipped with the power and knowledge to improve their own livelihoods, health, and well-being.

Whether you are an AI optimist or skeptic, we can all agree that collecting data and evidence on its deployment is of critical importance. IDinsight is beginning to do exactly that: we have plans to conduct a rigorous evaluation of Digital Green’s new agricultural chatbot and supporting Google.org to begin evaluating several parts of their investment portfolio in AI tools for social good. While AI is a powerful tool, we must take care to ensure it is deployed safely, accurately, and inclusively and that it is tested rigorously as part of a wider toolkit that helps changemakers accelerate their impact. 

Our 2024 Year in Review highlights the most exciting innovations we pursued as an organization this past year – not only technologically but by advancing dignity in development – and features examples of how we continue to provide high-quality data and evidence to leaders to improve lives in vulnerable communities. 

Advancing data science innovation at IDinsight

This year, we have continued to develop and refine groundbreaking products that bring generative AI and machine learning methodologies to the social sector. For example:

• Ask-A-Question (AAQ): an open-source tool to help non-profits run reliable and ever-improving AI-powered chat helplines.
• Ask-A-Metric (AAM): an open-source, AI-powered data analyst designed to answer questions from decision-makers’ databases.
• Optimizing contraceptive distribution in Togo using linear programming models: a project that helped the Ministry of Health to optimize distribution of contraceptives within budget, while achieving target coverage.
• Inclusive, high-quality, large-scale primary data infrastructure that makes machine learning predictive algorithms more equitable.

We have partnered with Google.org and other private funders to deploy these tools in new, impactful ways, including a project in partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and Last Mile Health that will create a chatbot to help community health workers in Ethiopia diagnose patients more accurately.

We are always looking for more partners and funders interested in supporting innovation and testing of these new tools for communities in need. Learn more about our Data Science work and how to get in touch here. 

Data and evidence that improved lives

IDinsight has remained committed to maximizing our partners’ impact through rigorous data and evidence. For example, this past year, we: 

• Published a study showing bicycles improved resilience to climate shocks in Zambia. The RCT with World Bicycle Relief revealed that access to bicycles improved economic opportunities, healthcare access, and community resilience during drought periods.
• Conducted national health surveys to inform and improve health policies in the Philippines. We conducted two national health surveys that are reshaping healthcare policy, assessing patient experiences with Universal Health Care and capturing critical health literacy trends.
• Worked with the most populous Indian state to optimize fiscal policies for better economic outcomes. Supported by the Veddis Foundation, we are working with the Planning Department of Uttar Pradesh to provide evidence-based analytical support to maximize budget effectiveness and track policy outcomes.

Commitment to efficiency and stewardship

We put responsible stewardship and effective use of funds at the core of our philosophy, both in the sector and internally within our own organization. This year, we conducted a business model review and are currently refreshing our strategy to ensure IDinsight remains nimble, efficient, and able to serve a wide range of impactful clients, including governments and local organizations. We’re also honored to have been listed as a high-impact organization trusted by leading philanthropists, by Panorama Global and its #FundWhatWorks campaign. 

Looking to 2025 and Beyond

As we step into 2025, we will continue exploring innovative approaches, experimenting boldly, and refining our tools to amplify impact. To our funders, partners, and fellow pursuers of impact: your trust enables us to dream big and create solutions that leave no one behind. We thank you for your support. 

With gratitude,

Becca Gong Sharp
CEO, IDinsight