After a childhood surrounded by conflict, this social entrepreneur is helping vulnerable communities access legal support

The immense potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for productivity and economic growth is well documented, but its social and environmental impact has received much less exposure.

Yet, a new report from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum finds that social innovators are at the forefront of deploying AI. The top areas for its application include healthcare, the environment and economic empowerment.

A powerful example of AI's potential for social impact is BarefootLaw in Uganda. Founded over a decade ago by lawyer Gerald Abila, this non-profit organization leverages technology to provide legal advice to vulnerable communities across Africa. By harnessing AI, BarefootLaw can reach underserved populations, offering them critical access to justice.

Abila has also received a Schwab Foundation 2024 Social Innovation Award for social entrepreneurship.

Here, he speaks to the World Economic Forum about his journey.

“Growing up in Uganda back in the ’80s, my family came from the eastern part of the country, which was surrounded by conflict. And some of my earliest memories are memories of conflict: hiding in corridors and sleeping in bushes,” Abila remembers.

“The question of how society could break down and start resolving problems through conflict always intrigued me as a kid. I guess that's where the seeds of becoming a lawyer were planted.”

Abila explains that when people lack access to the law, there are no means to resolve minor conflicts, causing them to snowball. This is where BarefootLaw steps in.

“We bridge the access gap between people and the legal system through the use of technologies. We do this using multiple technologies – from the most basic, like mobile phones – to more complicated technologies like the internet and artificial intelligence.”

To raise awareness of its pro bono services in target communities, BarefootLaw shares content about the law and legal services on the radio and via SMS. Those in need of legal advice can then contact the organization by phone, through local partners and in virtual centres called “BarefootLaw Boxes”. Trained lawyers are then available to guide them towards a resolution, Abila explains.

He evokes the example of Pasculina, a woman embroiled in a land conflict with her neighbour. The conflict escalated when he attacked her and fled the scene. Paculina’s son had heard about BarefootLaw, got in touch with Abila’s team and the perpetrator was put behind bars.

“This intervention, very basic and very simple, gave them not only agency but also the ability to restore their dignity. Seeing that was a fulfilling moment.”

With a presence in three African markets, the organization has ambitious plans.

“In the coming years, we hope to scale our impact across various African countries but scale our knowledge across the world. I believe that the power technology gives us means we can twist the narrative,” he says.

“It's not a Global North, Global South thing any more. There's a certain decentralization in innovation that enables lessons from the Global South to not only come to the Global North, but to benefit the world. And I believe BarefootLaw is one of those examples.”

From its African bases in Uganda, Kenya and Malawi, the organization is trying to establish a presence in 53 Commonwealth countries. BarefootLaw has also recently opened an office in the Hague, Netherlands.

“The Hague is a city of justice where we feel we can easily disseminate many of the lessons we've gathered over the past five years to like-minded people,” Abila points out.

The Schwab Foundation’s findings on AI in impact settings support the importance of collaborating between local and global actors and across sectors. Private-sector companies, intermediaries and governments must all work together to ensure nobody gets left behind as AI advances.

In this context, Abila views BarefootLaw’s plans as an important step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 – peaceful societies and access to justice for all. Last year, the United Nations found little or no progress had been made on SDG 16, with only seven years remaining until the 2030 SDG deadline.

“We need to make sure the rule of law is available. We need to make sure everyone has access to justice, has access to the law, and can use it to peacefully prevent unresolved disputes. That to me is the clearest path to a prosperous continent,” Abila concludes.

The quotes in this article have been lightly edited for clarity.