On Monday, an India-centric, voice-first AI innovation, MEGHA (Meghalaya E-Governance Human-centred Help), secured the primary prize on the Kennedy AI for Good Hackathon, organised by Harvard Kennedy College.
MEGHA is an AI-driven, toll-free platform designed to assist marginalised residents simply entry authorities schemes utilizing fundamental cell phones. The answer highlights the potential of accountable AI in selling digital inclusion and governance, particularly in rural India.
The MEGHA crew included Manish Maheshwari, former Head of Twitter India, co-founder of an AI-focused startup, and at the moment a Harvard Fellow; Dr. Aarushi Jain, Coverage Director on the Bharti Institute of Public Coverage; Mohammed Y Safirulla Okay, an IAS officer and digital governance knowledgeable; Manudev Jain, an IRS officer and Harvard scholar; and Ashish Tiwari, an IPS officer and Fulbright Scholar.
After profitable the award, Maheshwari emphasised the significance of utilizing AI to resolve real-world issues, writing on LinkedIn: “In right this moment’s world, it’s not about constructing one thing flashy — it’s about fixing one thing actual. The true energy of AI lies in thoughtfully connecting confirmed applied sciences to pressing human wants. As implementation prices fall, AI’s means to unlock dignity, alternative, and inclusion for thousands and thousands turns into one of many biggest forces for good of our time.”
Dr. Jain additionally highlighted MEGHA’s mission to bridge data and digital literacy gaps, writing on LinkedIn: “MEGHA is a toll-free, voice-first resolution designed to bridge data asymmetry and digital-literacy boundaries for rural residents searching for authorities schemes. By grounding each response in verified official paperwork, MEGHA delivers sincere, concise steerage in plain conversational language.”
The hackathon showcased Harvard’s dedication to selling AI for digital inclusion and guaranteeing expertise serves the worldwide public good. MEGHA’s success additionally reinforces the function of human-centered AI in advancing initiatives like Digital India and Minimal Authorities, Most Governance.
© IE On-line Media Companies Pvt Ltd