From Charity Journal
New AI forecasting tool aims to curb child malnutrition in Kenya
By Aliyu Pokima
Amid surging levels of child malnutrition, Kenya has turned to a newly minted AI forecasting tool to stay ahead of the curve. Adopting the tool is Kenya’s biggest leap toward data-driven humanitarian responses, with nearly 800,000 children in the country requiring treatment for acute malnutrition.
Predicting child malnutrition with AI in Kenya
According to a press release, Kenya has integrated a new AI forecasting tool for child malnutrition into its national drought early warning system.
Announced at the One Health Summit in Lyon, the tool generates predictions of child malnutrition while visualizing them in an interactive dashboard. Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley and Cornell University teamed up to develop the tool, with the Jameel Observatory financially supporting, under their research accelerator projects initiatives, the initial phase of real-world testing efforts in Kenya...
The AI-powered tool is based on a machine-learning approach developed by Susana Constenla-Villoslada, a doctoral researcher at UC Berkely, who led its integration within the NDMA in close partnership with the organization, demonstrating how academic research can be adapted for operational use through government collaboration...
Susana Constenla-Villoslada is a doctoral student at the School of Information, advised by Prof. Josh Blumenstock.
