Use of data, technology, and artificial intelligence tools for enhanced accountability

The EIB Group Complaints Mechanism co-organised a round table session at the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) annual conference in Bologna on the 1^st of May 2025, in collaboration with the independent accountability mechanisms (IAMs) of the Asian Development Bank and Inter-American Development Bank. The theme of this year’s IAIA conference was ‘Impact Assessment in the age of Artificial Intelligence’.

70+ participants from MDBs, IAMs, academic, corporate and public sector.

Vasco Amaral Cunha, Head of the EIB Group Complaints Mechanism, introduced the session, highlighting that it was an opportunity to learn from experts, share experiences amongst IAMs, and, most importantly, collaborate on solutions that align technological capabilities with human-centred values.

Samer Araabi (Accountability Counsel) presented different technologies to improve project/complaints management, including large language models, satellite mapping and AI tools.

Wee Meng Chuan (SIMC Singapore) presented an AI-powered tool for mediation that can be applied to dispute resolutions, ensuring accurate and secure information management.

Both presenters highlighted that AI should be considered as a complementary tool, and not as a solution.

Ildiko Almasi Simsic (E&S Solutions) provided a brief presentation of her AI tools for environmental and social performance.

Participants at the round tables explored strategies to extend AI’s benefits to developing regions, ensuring inclusivity rather than reinforcing biases. Cases of unequal power dynamics between stakeholders, including communities that are based on oral cultures or with limited digital access were discussed.

Participants agreed that AI can enhance accountability by streamlining complex processes, improving data review and organization and enabling more efficient monitoring. Discussions however underscored ethical concerns about training data used for AI applications, and the need to keep human oversight in preventing misinformation and misuse. Trainings on the different AI solutions are needed to upskill each user of the tools.

Andrea Repetto Vargas, Director of the Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism of the IDB Group, closed the session by summarizing the main highlights of the discussions and presentations.