22/07/2025
Reflections and Takeaways from IAS 2025: Pioneering AI and Community-Led Monitoring at the - International AIDS Society
EvalHarvest Solutions had the privilege of participating in the 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 13–17, 2025.
As a leading Impact, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) firm dedicated to transforming complex data into actionable strategies, our team was deeply inspired by the innovative discussions and groundbreaking advancements showcased at this global gathering. The conference, themed around accelerating HIV science to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, provided a dynamic platform to explore how artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and community-led monitoring can reshape health systems, particularly in Africa.
Here, we share our key reflections and takeaways from two pivotal sessions and their implications for our work in health-focused MEL.
From Potential to Practice: Using AI to Accelerate Innovation in HIV and Health Systems in Africa
One of the standout sessions, “From Potential to Practice: Using AI to Accelerate Innovation in HIV and Health Systems in Africa,” highlighted the transformative potential of AI in addressing HIV and strengthening health systems across the continent. The session underscored how AI can enhance health interventions through predictive analytics, optimized resource allocation, and personalized care delivery. Examples from South Africa demonstrated practical applications, such as AI-driven tools for predicting HIV treatment adherence and optimizing supply chains for antiretroviral therapy (ART).
A key takeaway was the importance of co-design and rapid iteration in developing AI tools. By involving communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers in the design process, AI solutions can be tailored to local contexts, ensuring cultural relevance and scalability. For instance, regional initiatives showcased how AI-powered chatbots are improving patient education and adherence in rural settings. However, barriers such as data privacy concerns, limited digital infrastructure, and the need for inclusive stakeholder engagement were also highlighted.
For EvalHarvest, this session reinforced the value of our MEL systems and health solutions. Our expertise in creating intuitive dashboards and automated data collection tools aligns seamlessly with the need for AI-driven monitoring systems that provide real-time insights. Moving forward, we plan to integrate AI analytics into our MEL frameworks to support health programs in Zambia and beyond, ensuring equitable access and measurable impact. This session also inspired us to explore partnerships with tech innovators to co-design AI tools that address local health challenges while maintaining rigorous data privacy standards.
Advancing HIV Monitoring: Community Leadership, Big Data Science, and Systems Integration
The session “Advancing HIV Monitoring: Community Leadership, Big Data Science, and Systems Integration” offered critical insights into the evolving landscape of HIV monitoring amid declining funding and competing health priorities. With 26.3 million people living with HIV in the African Region in 2024, the session emphasized the need for innovative monitoring strategies to sustain progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Rwanda’s achievement of these targets served as a powerful case study of effective data-driven health systems.
The session highlighted how big data and AI can enhance HIV monitoring by identifying trends, predicting outbreaks, and optimizing service delivery. For example, Rwanda’s Open Medical Record System (OpenMRS) enables nationwide data sharing, improving program design and patient outcomes. However, the session also addressed challenges, including privacy risks associated with big data and the need for community-led monitoring to ensure accountability and inclusivity. Community-led approaches empower affected populations to lead data collection and program evaluation, fostering trust and ensuring that interventions reflect local needs.
For EvalHarvest, this session underscored the importance of our inclusive MEL frameworks that prioritize women, youth, and marginalized communities.
Our experience in developing precise MEL frameworks for health programs, such as adolescent health monitoring in Zambia, aligns with the call for community-driven data strategies. We are inspired to further integrate big data analytics into our digital monitoring systems, enabling real-time tracking of HIV program outcomes while safeguarding patient privacy. Additionally, we see immense potential in capacity-building initiatives to train community health workers in digital literacy, ensuring they can lead monitoring efforts effectively.
Broader Reflections: Rwanda’s Leadership and the Kigali Call to Action
IAS 2025 was a testament to Rwanda’s remarkable progress in HIV control, having achieved the 95-95-95 targets seven years ahead of schedule. The country’s journey from the devastation of the 1994 genocide to becoming a global health leader was a powerful reminder of the impact of evidence-based strategies and resilient health systems. The conference also launched the Kigali Call to Action, a global appeal to protect HIV progress amid funding cuts, particularly from programs like PEPFAR.
This call resonated deeply with our mission to turn data into hope, action, and impact, as it emphasized the need for sustainable, domestically funded health systems.
The introduction of new WHO guidelines on long-acting injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention was another highlight, showcasing how scientific advancements can be integrated into health systems with robust monitoring. EvalHarvest is eager to support the rollout of such innovations by developing MEL frameworks that track their impact on marginalized populations, ensuring equitable access.
Takeaways for EvalHarvest’s Mission
Participating in IAS 2025 has strengthened our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and community-driven approaches in our work.
Key takeaways include:
Harnessing AI for Health Impact: By integrating AI into our MEL systems, we can enhance real-time monitoring, predict program outcomes, and optimize resource allocation for HIV and other health programs.
Empowering Communities: Community-led monitoring is critical for accountability and inclusivity. We will continue to design frameworks that amplify the voices of affected communities, particularly in Zambia’s rural areas.
Building Resilient Systems: The Kigali Call to Action highlights the urgency of sustainable health financing. Our digital monitoring tools can help organizations transition to self-reliant systems by providing actionable data for decision-making.
Capacity Building: Training health workers and communities in digital literacy and data management is essential for scaling AI and big data solutions. We will expand our capacity-building programs to support this need.
Looking Ahead
EvalHarvest’s presence at IAS 2025 reaffirmed our belief that data is not just a tool it’s a bridge. A bridge between policymakers and communities, between innovation and implementation, and between potential and practice. As we return to Zambia and our regional partners, we are energized by the momentum we’ve witnessed.
We are committed to:
Scaling AI-powered MEL systems for health programs that need to adapt in real-time.
Strengthening community-led data collection and analysis processes.
Facilitating integration across health issues to build resilient, responsive systems.
Ensuring that every insight we generate translates into equitable and sustainable impact.
As global health evolves, EvalHarvest will remain at the forefront turning data into hope, action, and lasting change.
Follow us on social media for updates on our work and join us in driving sustainable development. Together, we can build a future where no community is left behind.
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