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Kapak

About

AI to detect suspicious activity in public procurement processes

Kapak is a software application harnessing data science and AI to combat corruption in public procurement. This government-independent system pulls data from official e-procurement websites, producing indicators of corruption risks. Through a public web portal, Kapak flags suspicious procedures, evaluates contracting entities and suppliers, and raises awareness about corruption risks. Kapak empowers citizens by enhancing transparency in an area of government historically lacking oversight, aiming to integrate advanced algorithms for improved monitoring.

Team

  • Mara Fortuny

    Mara Fortuny

    Mara is a computer scientist that loves to play detective with data. She’s currently the youngest and sole female researcher at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ’s Computer Science Department, where she is cooperating with a diverse team of computer science and jurisprudence professors that are intent on preventing corruption in Ecuador’s public procurement system. As a data scientist wannabe, she is passionate about experimenting with procurement data to uncover irregularities and patterns that otherwise lie hidden in her country’s e-government databases. By doing so, she hopes to make AI a key player in Ecuador’s everlasting fight against corruption and help solve this problem for good.more

  • Daniel Riofrío

    Daniel Riofrío

    Daniel Riofrío earned his Master's and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of New Mexico. He's a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, heading their Computer Science Program. His research delves into machine learning, computer vision, cybersecurity, and optimization in radiotherapy. Riofrío has contributed to e-government projects in Ecuador, partnering with the German Technical Cooperation GIZ. He's a published author in various conferences and journals. Notably, he has a U.S. patent (9,844,684/10,850,122) related to prostate cancer treatment algorithms. more

    LinkedIn
  • Farith Simon

    Farith Simon

    Farith Simon Campaña, rooted in Ecuadorian, Palestinian, and Italian heritage, is a notable legal scholar and advocate from Latacunga, Ecuador. He earned his PhD in New Trends of Private Law from the University of Salamanca and a Juris Doctor from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. A fervent advocate for children's rights, his dedication extends to educating future lawyers at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) where he serves as the Dean of Law since 2016. Beyond academia, he's known for his substantial contributions to legal reforms, prolific publications, and awards, embodying a blend of cultural richness and academic excellence.more

    LinkedIn
  • Erika Guerrero

    Erika Guerrero

    German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)

    Erika Guerrero holds a degree in Economic and Financial Sciences from the Escuela Politécnica Nacional, a Bachelor's in Law, Economics, and Management from Jean Monnet University (France), and a Master's in Development Economics Research from FLACSO. She also completed a Diploma in Open State and Public Management in the Exponential Era from Universidad Nacional de San Martín (Argentina). For five years, she served as the Risk Director at the National Public Procurement Service of Ecuador, where she spearheaded the opening of Ecuador's first set of procurement data and developed mathematical risk models. Currently, she works as a Technical Advisor for the SinCero II Program of the German Agency for International Cooperation GIZ. more

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