Harvard Center for International Development

In the final episode of Road to GEM, Harvard Kennedy School MPP candidate Slavina Ancheva speaks with Dr. Flavio du Pin Calmon, Associate Professor at Harvard SEAS, about the intersection of artificial intelligence, equity, and global development. Together, they explore how AI technologies can both bridge and deepen digital divides — especially in low-resource and underserved regions. Dr. Calmon shares insights from his research on fairness, privacy, and reliability in machine learning systems. The conversation highlights critical challenges in ensuring that AI tools are not only effective but also ethical and inclusive. They discuss bias mitigation, the importance of diverse data representation, and the ways in which technical design must align with social and policy objectives. For listeners working at the crossroads of tech, policy, and justice, this episode offers a nuanced look at how to build AI systems that reflect and respect global realities. Guest: Dr. Flavio du Pin Calmon, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Host: Slavina Ancheva, Master in Public Policy Candidate, Harvard Kennedy School

In this episode of Road to GEM, Harvard Kennedy School’s Dr. Aarushi Jain speaks with Dr. Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business at Tufts University’s Fletcher School and Founding Director of Digital Planet, about the uneven global spread of artificial intelligence. While AI holds promise for breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, Dr. Chakravorti sounds a note of caution: these benefits are far from equitably distributed. The conversation explores how AI is being built on deeply unequal data, why access and usage remain skewed across geographies, and how business models, environmental costs, and trust deficits might further widen the digital divide. Drawing on insights from the Digital Evolution Index and years of work across policy, tech, and consulting, Dr. Chakravorti outlines six key divides shaping our AI future — data, income, usage, geography, production, and sustainability. He also shares tangible examples where AI can support smallholder farmers, underserved patients, and young learners, if deployed wisely. This episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with AI’s role in development, digital governance, and the urgent need to build inclusive systems before inequality becomes algorithmically entrenched. Guest: Dr. Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business at The Fletcher School, Tufts University Host: Dr. Aarushi Jain, Edward S. Mason Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School

In this episode of the Road to GEM podcast, host Felicity Powell joins a panel of international development and education experts to explore how artificial intelligence could transform education and promote equity. As foreign aid declines and humanitarian challenges grow, the discussion highlights why education remains essential to global equity and revisits past technology initiatives to consider whether AI will help bridge—or deepen—the digital divide. Guests: Dr. Rob Jenkins (Harvard Graduate School of Education, formerly UNICEF), Dr. Chris Henderson (Geneva Graduate Institute), and Ellen Eun (Program Specialist, UNICEF Learning Passport) Student Host: Felicity Powell, Harvard Graduate School of Education

In this episode of Road to GEM, Harvard PhD Student and CID Affiliate Jasmin Higo speaks with Jean-Martin Bauer, Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis at the World Food Programme, about how AI is shaping the global response to hunger. With over 700 million people facing chronic food insecurity—and food crises driven by conflict, climate change, and economic instability—this conversation asks a pressing question: can innovation keep pace with the complexity of today’s hunger challenges? They explore how AI is being used to anticipate emergencies, improve decision-making, and reimagine humanitarian response. The conversation also touches on the ethical limits of technology in fragile settings, the shift from rural to urban hunger, and what the future holds for global food systems. Whether you're interested in technology, development, or humanitarian work, this episode offers timely insight into how AI is being deployed—and questioned—in the fight against global hunger.

In this episode of Road to GEM, we explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in urban planning and climate resilience. Jennifer Hotsko and Betty Chemier from UNDP’s Accelerator Lab in Panama join host Giovanna Lia Toledo, Master in Urban Planning candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, to share real-world projects where AI is being used to visualize climate risks, engage communities in participatory planning, and support more adaptive and equitable cities. From ethical considerations to practical applications, the conversation offers grounded insights into how emerging technologies can strengthen urban futures. Whether you’re a planner, technologist, or simply curious about the intersection of innovation and sustainability, tune in to discover how AI is not just a tool—but a catalyst for building inclusive, climate-resilient cities. Guests: Jennifer Hotsko, Head of Exploration at UNDP’s Accelerator Lab in Panama | Betty Chemier, Head of Experimentation at UNDP’s Accelerator Lab in Panama Student Host: Giovanna Lia Toledo, Master in Urban Planning, Harvard Graduate School of Design

Emily Janoch, Associate VP at CARE, shares her 18 years of experience in using AI for dignity-focused development. Alongside Kalkidan Lakew, a Program Coordinator, they discuss the ethical challenges of AI in humanitarian work. They stress the importance of incorporating community voices and addressing bias in data collection. The conversation highlights how technology can empower women and enhance understanding of community needs. Their insights reveal a vision of AI not just for efficiency, but as a tool for justice and equity in crisis situations.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Barbara Glover, a program officer at the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, teams up with Dr. William Wasswa, an AI researcher and biomedical engineer from Mbarara University. They explore how AI is revolutionizing healthcare in Africa, from 3D-printed microscopes to national strategies fostering socio-economic growth. The conversation highlights the continent's potential to shift from AI consumers to leaders, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, local solutions, and responsible technology adoption to drive Africa's digital transformation.

Pritham Raja, AI lead at J-PAL Global, and Chinasa T. Okolo, a fellow at Brookings, discuss the transformative role of AI in global development. They delve into bridging governance gaps and addressing digital language divides through inclusive technology. The duo highlights innovative projects, like AI-powered education tools that enhance math learning, and the importance of equitable AI governance by amplifying global perspectives. Their insights emphasize how AI can foster local solutions and preserve cultural heritage while promoting socio-economic growth.

In this episode, we delve into the complex dynamics between mega-sporting events and human rights. Vijay Simhan from Humanity United offers valuable insights into funding strategies for narrative, research and advocacy, drawing from the foundation's work in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Thays Prado from the Center for Sport and Human Rights emphasizes the crucial role of centering women and gender minorities in stakeholder engagement throughout the event lifecycle.

Whether as spectators, players, coaches, or executives, sports bring people together and have the potential to drive improvements in education, health, and labor across the globe. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of sports in community building and international development. Mariana Behr Andrade, Global Sports Initiative Fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center, who spearheaded impact initiatives for the Rio Olympics, discusses how sports can improve education outcomes, while legendary hockey coach Digit Murphy highlights gender representation in athletics.