This is a paid opportunity. In order to be eligible to apply for this project, you need to be part of the Omdena community and have finished at least one AI Innovation Challenge.

You can find our upcoming AI Innovation Challenges at https://omdena.com/projects. 

The problem

In Sri Lanka, conversations surrounding Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) are pivotal to fostering a more inclusive society. However, these discussions are often marred by inaccuracies and misinformation, which can significantly hinder progress towards achieving true equality and inclusion. The challenge lies in the pervasive nature of these inaccuracies, which can stem from a variety of sources, including cultural biases, outdated information, and intentional disinformation campaigns. These inaccuracies not only distort public perception and understanding of GESI issues but also undermine the efforts of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), journalists, and other key stakeholders working towards social change.

The impact of inaccuracies in GESI conversations is profound and far-reaching. Firstly, they contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes and prejudices, reinforcing systemic barriers to equality and inclusion. For instance, misinformation regarding gender roles can reinforce discriminatory practices, limiting opportunities for women and gender minorities in various spheres of life, including education, employment, and political participation. Secondly, inaccuracies can fuel social tensions and divisions, making it more challenging to build consensus on critical issues related to gender equality and social inclusion. This can hinder the development and implementation of effective policies and initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. Thirdly, the spread of misinformation can erode trust in CSOs, journalists, and other stakeholders, diminishing their influence and effectiveness in advocating for change.

This initiative, emerging from a collaboration between Omdena and a globally recognized Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Sri Lanka, seeks to address these challenges by enhancing a system designed to identify inaccuracies in GESI conversations. By equipping CSOs, journalists, and other key stakeholders with advanced tools and technologies, the project aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of information related to gender equality and social inclusion. This, in turn, is expected to strengthen advocacy efforts, enhance public understanding of GESI issues, and contribute to the creation of a more inclusive society in Sri Lanka. Through this strategic move, the initiative not only aims to counteract the negative impacts of inaccuracies in GESI conversations but also to propel the country’s progress towards achieving true equality and inclusion for all its citizens.

The project goals

The primary goal of this project is to refine and enhance a system designed to identify inaccuracies in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) conversations in Sri Lanka, thereby bolstering the efforts of Civil Society Organizations, journalists, and other pivotal stakeholders in fostering a more inclusive society. This initiative is set to progress through a series of following planned phases:

• Phase Extension: Building upon the achievements from the previous Machine Learning (ML) development phase, this stage aims to incorporate the latest advancements in AI and ML technologies. The focus will be on enhancing the system’s ability to accurately detect inaccuracies in GESI conversations, leveraging state-of-the-art algorithms and methodologies to improve its analytical capabilities.
• Testing and Refinement: A critical phase dedicated to conducting comprehensive evaluations of the current solution to identify any inaccuracies, biases, or other issues that may compromise its effectiveness. This stage involves a meticulous analysis of the system’s performance, with the objective of pinpointing specific areas that require improvement. Subsequent refinements will be made to increase the model’s precision, actively working to minimize biases and address detected issues.
• Development of User Interface and Backend: This phase focuses on the architectural development of a comprehensive user interface alongside the system’s backend, with a priority on intuitive design and functionality. The aim is to create an interface that is not only user-friendly but also efficient in facilitating access to the system’s capabilities, ensuring that stakeholders can easily navigate and utilize the tool.
• Performance Optimization: The final phase is centered on fine-tuning the tool’s performance to achieve optimal efficiency and user-friendliness. Adjustments will be based on feedback from testing and stakeholder input, ensuring the solution effectively meets the diverse needs of its users. The goal is to deliver a tool that is both powerful in its analytical capabilities and accessible to a broad range of stakeholders.

Thus, the project aims to deliver an enhanced system that demonstrates significant improvements in identifying inaccuracies in GESI conversations in Sri Lanka. This initiative is expected to have a profound impact on strengthening the capabilities of Civil Society Organizations, journalists, and other key stakeholders, providing them with an advanced tool to support their efforts in promoting gender equality and social inclusion. Through this strategic enhancement, the project aspires to contribute to the creation of a more informed and inclusive society in Sri Lanka.

**More details will be shared with the designated team.

Why join? The uniqueness of Omdena Top Talent Projects

Top Talent opportunities come as a natural next step after participating in Omdena’s AI Innovation Challenges.

Everyone in the community is eligible to participate once they have shown the relevant skills based on the merit of involvement in past Omdena challenges and the community.

If you are looking for the next challenge after participating in one or more Omdena AI Innovation Challenges, then we believe you have made the right choice! With a healthy, pressured environment, you will be pushed to contribute, learn and grow even more.

Find more information on how an Omdena Top Talent Program works