Sam Carter

Sam is the Senior AI Policy Manager at J-PAL, where she leads efforts to use insights from existing evidence to maximize the social impact of artificial intelligence, and to generate new evidence on the impacts and unintended consequences of AI tools. Prior to joining J-PAL in 2025, Sam was a Senior Advisor in USAID’s Office of the Chief Economist, leading efforts to improve the cost-effectiveness of USAID’s food security, resilience, and education programs around the world. She previously led efforts to design and evaluate new products for smallholder farmers at Precision Development, and has also worked in philanthropic advising at Founders Pledge and the JBJ Foundation. 

Sam holds a master's in international economics and international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor's in economics and international studies from Johns Hopkins University.