Small language models (SLMs), built in purposeful and controlled ways and managed with thoughtful design, are a viable alternative to large, resource-intensive, general-purpose AI models that are causing harm to the environment, the climate, and communities. Taking place virtually in September 2026, the MERL Tech Initiative is once again offering a course on Small Language Models (SLMs). The course is for professionals across the social impact sector who want to explore using SLMs in their work. If you are interested in reducing the environmental footprint of your AI use, want to use and work with language models when not connected to the internet, and care about privacy, this course may be for you. 

On September 16, the MERL Tech Initiative's Humanitarian AI+MERL Learning Group will host Margie Cheesman alongside book contributors for the official launch of “Aid and ID: Making People Matter.” At the book launch, attendees will hear more from Margie about why and how ID brings the humanitarian sector’s wider dilemmas into focus, taking stock of challenges and possibilities ahead. Attendees will also get a preview of some of the chapters with lightning talks from practitioners who contributed to the book, before a moderated discussion and audience Q+A.