The Concept
The Social Catalyst Lab is a research concept, where we search for scalable solutions to pressing problems in society. By leveraging Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and rapid Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), we aim to discover previously unknown, high-impact, solutions. Testing and evaluation is done at scale, rapidly and iteratively. The concept was developed by economists David Yanagizawa-Drott and Kobbina Awuah together with a team from University of Zurich and Harvard University. We see it as a potentially groundbreaking way of leveraging AI to generate new scientific evidence for the benefit of society. It is currently being deployed and tested in various countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Big Data
We leverage very large datasets, conducive for the testing of many potential solutions to societal challenges.
Artificial Intelligence
We employ state-of-the-art artificial intelligence architectures, in order to expand the scope for discovery.
Rapid Experimentation
To identify causal impacts and discover high social returns interventions, we employ the scientific gold standard of randomized control trials.
News
AI Opportunities for Global South
David Yanagizawa-Drott
How AI can truly change the world
Sendhil Mullainathan & David Yanagizawa-Drott
AI unleashed
UBS Center Forum
Our Team
Research Staff
Céline Aeschbacher
Research Assistant
University of Zurich
Giuliano Ripari
Research Assistant
University of Zurich
Students
Alumni
Navid Samadi
Master Student
Marco Caporaletti
Master Student
Jonas Esterer
Master Student
Nils Rütten
Bachelor Student
Research
Work in Progress
Finding Talent in the Age of AI
with K. Awuah, U. Krenk
in progress
Is Social Learning Gendered
with K. Awuah, S. Helmke, R. Hernández, U. Krenk, S. Rabino, D. Santos Cardenás
in progress
Our Presence
Switzerland
University of Zurich - Research Hub
Ghana
SCL Field Office & Research Implementation
Kenya
Research Implementation & Field Operations
Tanzania
Research Implementation & Field Operations
Open Positions
Pre-doctoral Fellow in Economics and Applied Machine Learning
Join our team working at the intersection of AI and social science research. We're looking for highly skilled and motivated candidates with a strong quantitative background, statistical skills and experience in machine learning and computer programming.