In an effort to enhance environmental risk reporting, Malian startup Kaicedra has modified its Map Action platform to enable citizens to submit alerts vocally in local languages. This development aims to overcome the challenge of requiring users to read and write in French, the country's official language. The platform, which has been in development for several years, allows users to photograph, geolocate, and record environmental issues on a digital map.
The Map Action platform is designed to report various environmental concerns, including waste, flooding, and clogged drains. The app can function offline, and the information is organized for consultation by relevant authorities. According to Boubacar Keita, founder of Kaicedra, initial usage revealed that the primary difficulty was not photographing or locating the issue but writing a description in French. This obstacle hindered some users from reporting problems.
To address this challenge, the updated platform introduces a free phone line that allows users to describe incidents orally in their local language. Artificial intelligence extracts key information from the message, which is then verified by a human operator and transmitted to local authorities. The team is working on incorporating several local languages, including Bambara, into the system.
One of the technical difficulties faced by Kaicedra is the limited availability of digital data in certain national languages. To train and evaluate their models accurately, the team must compile data that matches the expressions used to describe environmental risks in Mali. The platform also combines citizen reports with open maps and satellite imagery, utilizing machine learning tools to classify alerts and identify areas requiring attention.
Before the wider rollout, Kaicedra conducted tests with 60 students and young researchers who used a beta version of the app to document issues in their neighborhoods. The results informed the development of the updated platform. An national workshop was held with representatives from institutions across the country's 19 regions and the Bamako District to discuss the deployment and highlight the need for regional training.
The Map Action platform is not limited to reporting; it also aims to facilitate swift responses from authorities. For the alerts to be effective, they must be addressed promptly by relevant services. The goal is to empower citizens to report problems more easily and assist authorities in intervening quickly when necessary.
The updated Map Action platform is expected to enhance environmental risk reporting and response in Mali. By allowing citizens to report incidents in their local languages, the platform increases accessibility and encourages more people to participate in monitoring and addressing environmental issues.
Key points
- The Map Action platform now allows citizens to report environmental risks vocally in local languages.
- The platform combines citizen reports with open maps and satellite imagery to classify alerts and identify areas requiring attention.
- The updated platform introduces a free phone line for users to describe incidents orally in their local language.
