5 Key Takeaways from Session 1 of Glocal Evaluation Week 2026

Inside the AI-Augmented Evaluation Workflow

AI is already reshaping the way evaluators work, from literature reviews and tool design to analysis, reporting, and visualization. In Session 1 of our gLOCAL Evaluation Week 2026 series, the 4th Wheel team reflected on how AI is entering everyday evaluation practice and what that means for the future of the sector.

Meet the Speakers

• Helga Thomas – Manager, M&E, The 4th Wheel, sharing perspectives on evaluation design, frameworks, and AI-assisted research.

• Vamsi Krishna – Senior Research Executive, The 4th Wheel, discussing data analysis, qualitative synthesis, and AI-supported insights.

• Saurabh Banne – Senior Research Executive, The 4th Wheel, exploring the role of AI in tool design, digitization, and workflow efficiency.

• Farheen Fatima – Research Associate, The 4th Wheel, reflecting on reporting, storytelling, and knowledge management in an AI-enabled world.

• Juhi Jain – Associate Manager, The 4th Wheel, moderator of the session.

Key Takeaways From The Webinar

Here are five key takeaways from the conversation:

1. AI Is An Assistant, Not A Replacement

AI can accelerate workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and support synthesis, but evaluators still remain responsible for interpretation, ethics, and decision-making."AI helps me discover possibilities, but it does not take decisions for me."

2. AI Helps Researchers Move Beyond The “Blank Page Syndrome”

From structuring tools and refining language to supporting presentations and reporting, AI is helping teams get started faster and work more efficiently.

"AI helps us move beyond the blank page, but researchers still have to make the tool meaningful." 

3. Qualitative Analysis and Triangulation

Whether it is theory of change development, qualitative analysis, or triangulation, context and lived realities cannot be understood by AI alone."AI is less like an analyst and more like a GPS." 

4. Better Writing Does Not Always Mean Better Understanding

AI can generate polished language and visuals, but meaningful insights still come from field realities, professional experience, and critical thinking."The question is no longer who can write well. The question is: who interpreted the evidence?" 

5. Responsible AI Use Is Non-negotiable

The session also highlighted important concerns around bias, hallucinations, privacy, confidentiality, and ethical use of participant data. The need for caution, verification, and strong AI policies emerged as a key discussion point.

One of the strongest reflections from the session came from this shared understanding:

“Learn the fundamentals first, and then use AI to amplify those skills.”

As AI continues to evolve, evaluation practice will likely become increasingly AI-augmented. But the session reminded us that evaluation remains deeply human work, grounded in ethics, context, interpretation, and accountability.

The webinar only scratched the surface of how AI is transforming evaluation practice.

If you're exploring how AI can support monitoring, evaluation, learning, and research, we've created additional resources to help you go deeper.

Explore the 4th Wheel blog library for practical insights on AI in evaluation, MEAL systems, impact measurement, Theory of Change, organizational learning, and emerging trends shaping the social impact sector. New articles are added regularly to help practitioners move from ideas to implementation.

Watch the full webinar recording to hear the practical examples, audience questions, and detailed discussions that could not be fully captured in this summary.

Important Time Stamps

• 03:00 – AI Is Changing Workflows, Not Replacing Evaluators

• 08:00 – AI in Early-Stage Evaluation Design

• 15:00 – Questionnaire Design and Tool Development

• 30:00 – Automating Repetitive

• Workflows 

• 39:00 – AI in Thematic Analysis

• 48:00 – AI in Knowledge Products 

• 55:00 – Ethics, Hallucinations, and Privacy

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At 4th Wheel, we believe that the future of evaluation is not about choosing between humans and AI. It is about learning how to use technology thoughtfully while keeping ethics, context, and human judgment at the center of decision-making. List of tools discussed during the session 1