Philip Wollburg, Senior Economist, World Bank
A SoDa Symposium: Enhancing Living Standards Surveys in LMICs using Large Language Models
A Presentation with Q&A
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (ONLINE)
Abstract:
In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), household surveys remain the main tools for understanding living standards, designing effective policies, and monitoring progress toward development goals. Household surveys are under pressure to deliver high-quality and comprehensive data in a timely manner within tightening budgets.
The Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) – the World Bank’s flagship household survey program – has recently launched a multi-year program on innovations in survey measurement. The program is supporting the development and validation of enhanced survey methods and tools to increase the accuracy, timeliness and cost-effectiveness of surveys in LMICs, with a strong focus on mixed mode survey systems.
The presentation will provide an overview of the LSMS work-stream on AI which aims to improve key aspects of the survey process using large language models (LLMs) and generative AI. The work hinges on using interview transcripts for analysis in LLMs to (i) detect and reduce error in survey data and (ii) interpret open-ended survey responses and enabling simpler and more respondent-centric questionnaires without sacrificing analytical depth. The presentation will describe the key elements of the work program and the expected implementation challenges.
Presenter:
Philip Wollburg
Senior Economist
World Bank
Bio:
Philip Wollburg is a Senior Economist at the Survey Unit of the Development Data Group at the World Bank, based in Rome, Italy. He co-leads the program on Innovations in Survey Measurement of the Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS), the World Bank’s flagship household survey program. His research focuses on agriculture, poverty, health, and the impacts of shocks, as well as measurement and survey methods. Philip was a core team member of the World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives, and prior to joining the World Bank, he worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and led a project aimed at delivering innovative renewable energy solutions to smallholder agricultural and fisheries communities in East Africa. He holds a PhD in Development Economics from Wageningen University.
Q&A Moderators:
Amparo Palacios-Lopez
Program Manager
Survey Unit
Home of the International Comparison Program (ICP), Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) & Survey Solutions
Development Data Group | World Bank | Washington, DC
Talip Kilic
Acting Manager and Senior Program Manager
Survey Unit
Home of the International Comparison Program (ICP), Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) & Survey Solutions
Development Data Group | World Bank | Washington, DC
