UP, UNICEF train officials in AI-driven data validation for child-focused planning | Lucknow News

Lucknow: Making children visible in govt planning requires indicators that capture who is receiving services and who is being left out.With that aim, the department of planning, govt of Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with UNICEF Uttar Pradesh, held a hands-on capacity-building workshop in Lucknow for officials from multiple departments.The workshop, titled “Data Quality Validation and Visualization Using AI Responsibly,” focused on strengthening how departments review the information they collect, identify gaps and inconsistencies, and convert verified data into actionable insights for programme planning and monitoring.“We have a wealth of data, but its value lies in how well it helps us understand and respond to children’s needs. By ensuring its quality, with deeper analysis, with responsible use of AI and human oversight, we can build stronger evidence for decisions,” said Dr Zakari Adam, chief, UNICEF Uttar Pradesh Office.Sessions moved from discussion to practice, with participants working through common data quality challenges and exploring methods to improve completeness, consistency, uniqueness and validity. Officials shared examples from their routine reporting systems, discussed constraints they face in the field, and examined how stronger validation checks could sharpen programme reviews and help address service delivery gaps.Facilitators underscored that AI tools can support analysis and visualisation, but that human judgement, context and verification remain essential to responsible use. The approach aimed to help officials build confidence in interpreting results and communicating evidence for decision-making.Participants attended from departments including Medical, Health and Family Welfare; Women Welfare; Panchayati Raj; Child Development and Nutrition (including ICDS); Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply; Rural Development; Labour; Home (Police); Basic Education; Secondary Education; and the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority.