Leveraging AI for Scalable Social Impact in the Global South
The Social Catalyst Lab (SCL) is a research initiative focused on discovering scalable solutions to critical challenges faced by communities across the Global South. By combining Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and rapid experimentation, we identify innovative approaches with the greatest potential to advance key goals for social progress, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Our methodology is fast, iterative, and deeply contextualized, ensuring our solutions meet the unique cultural, social, and economic realities of local communities. The lab was developed by economists David Yanagizawa-Drott and Kobbina Awuah, alongside a team from the University of Zurich.
Currently, we are actively testing and refining our interventions across several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, committed to generating robust scientific insights and tangible social impact.
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 interventions high social returns, 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
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
Collaborate with us
If your organization is interested in a research collaboration or has a media request, please contact us and we will respond as soon as possible.