AI, MERL and Latin America
This learning group will focus on issues at the intersection of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), artificial intelligence (AI), and data responsibility in Latin America.
In early 2026, we reached out to community members to ask for their help shaping this group. We received amazing responses from all over the region, letting us know how a group like this could be useful and the topics that mattered most to you. The areas of interest are wide: from curiosity about use cases of AI within MERL in the region, to the desire to learn more about tools and platforms for MERL work, to the concerns regarding ethics, safeguards, and responsible use of AI, and the challenges unique to Latin America MERL professionals face in adopting AI.
Meet the co-leads
This “AI, MERL and Latin America” learning group is co-led by María de los Ángeles Lasa and Fernando Barbosa.
María de los Ángeles Lasa, PhD (she/her), is Applied Data Science Manager at Global Fund for Women. She works on data analytics and AI, developing tools and strategies for the social impact sector.
Fernando C. Barbosa (he/him) is an economist and a Senior Associate for Economics at the Inter-American Development Bank. As an evaluator, he has years of experience with data Analytics, AI, and Product Development.
Become a member!
Membership is free! To become a member of MERL Tech CoP, fill in this form indicating your agreement and alignment with the CoP Charter and Code of Conduct.