Harnessing AI for Efficient Use of Evaluation Evidence

The Development Evaluation Unit of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has launched a new AI-assisted tool called OpenEval, designed to serve the foreign service, stakeholders, and the general public alike. The tool makes it easier to access information from public evaluation reports.

Finland’s development policy and cooperation are regularly and systematically evaluated. Independent evaluations cover both broad policy topics and individual projects and programs.

“Evaluations are extremely important sources of information and contain a wealth of content. With this tool we have developed, not only the Ministry but also stakeholders can access and utilize this information more efficiently,” says Nea-Mari Heinonen, the project designer and lead from the Development Evaluation Unit.

The tool allows users to search through multiple reports simultaneously. It helps form a comprehensive picture of, for example, the results of development policy and cooperation, as well as related recommendations. OpenEval supports transparency in governance and evidence-based decision-making.

Extensive information is available on Finland’s support for sustainable development and the realization of human rights. With intelligent search functions, users can find and combine information across different themes, for example by country or type of cooperation.

“An AI tool like OpenEval can support civil servants in their tasks, but it is not intended to replace them. The use and further processing of information always remains a human responsibility,” Heinonen clarifies. The tool is intended to complement other tools and data sources, such as the OpenAid website.

“The Ministry for Foreign Affairs wants to be a frontrunner in the appropriate use of artificial intelligence, of which this newly launched tool is one example”, the Under-Secretary of State for Development Policy Pasi Hellman said at the launch event at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 18 June, 2025.

The tool also supports the Ministry’s and the broader government’s digitalization and AI objectives. The version released now will be further developed based on user feedback.