You can\u2019t miss the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) these days. Almost every day, we hear news stories about AI and how it\u2019s being used to address any number of challenges. We\u2019re also seeing a steady stream of new AI tools and technologies being rolled out.<\/p>\n
Within this buzz, many nonprofit professionals are looking for answers about AI. There\u2019s a lot of excitement about it, but also a lot of questions about what it really is, what it can help nonprofits do, and how to begin using it.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been looking for answers about AI, too. After reading articles, attending sessions, and listening to nonprofit professionals talk about AI, and after attending the recent Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit<\/a>, here are some of my top thoughts about AI for nonprofits.<\/p>\n I think it can be useful for nonprofit leaders to think about AI in terms of how it can help staff be more productive. We\u2019ve all used tools that help automate tasks \u2013 such as forms that pre-populate information, and we\u2019ve become accustomed to using those types of tools. You can think about AI as process and task automation, but at an entirely new scale.<\/p>\n With AI, those things that you said you\u2019d like to do \u2013 if only your staff had the time \u2013 are now possible. AI can free up staff time, giving people more time to spend in areas where their unique expertise and experience are most impactful to the organization.<\/p>\n Consider the idea you often hear in the sector that there\u2019s more work to do at a nonprofit than there are people to accomplish it. When you think about the idea that AI can help your team get things done much faster with the same, or even higher, level of quality, then it\u2019s much easier to start defining specific ways your organization can use AI.<\/p>\n It can be easy to get caught up in the potential of AI for nonprofits<\/a>. But adopting AI shouldn\u2019t be about adopting technology for technology\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n The approach for adopting AI should be the same as adopting any other technology. It\u2019s important to start by clearly defining:<\/p>\n The answers to these questions will help guide you in adopting, and measuring the return on investment of, any new tool for your organization.<\/p>\n As a leader here at Heller Consulting, I\u2019m excited about the possibilities of AI to help our staff be more productive. I want to get some of the AI tools I\u2019m seeing into the hands of our staff as soon as possible, but I also know that we need to do some prep work before we jump in.<\/p>\n In addition to defining goals and measures of success, any organization that\u2019s thinking about adopting AI tools should do a few key things before getting started, including:<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that while these are foundational steps to prepare for using AI tools, they aren\u2019t one-time tasks. AI policies, data governance, and human interaction are ongoing activities that will support successful use of AI.<\/p>\n As AI helps to make staff members more productive, it will also create a new baseline of expectations for efficiency and productivity. For example, your evaluation of staff performance might evolve based on staff members having more time to work on higher-value activities.<\/p>\n At the organizational level, as nonprofits begin adopting AI tools and becoming more productive, those organizations that lag in AI adoption<\/a> will risk being seen by their communities and funders as less efficient and effective. On the flip side, investing in AI to improve productivity can position a nonprofit to better handle future challenges \u2013 just as nonprofits who had a strong and modern technology foundation in place were better prepared to adapt quickly to changes related to the global pandemic.<\/p>\n Does that mean that you need to start implementing AI tools immediately? Not necessarily. But it does point to the need to start thinking about and preparing for the adoption of AI tools now.<\/p>\n Ideally, AI should become part of your technology roadmap. Because it has the potential to support activities across your organization, it should be on the list next to data management and data security in terms of critical factors in your organization\u2019s technology ecosystem.<\/p>\n The common theme in these thoughts about AI for nonprofits is that AI shouldn\u2019t be ignored. While you don\u2019t need to run out and buy an AI tool today, it is time to start thinking about and preparing for AI as part of your organization\u2019s overall technology strategy.<\/p>\n Here at Heller Consulting, we\u2019re ready to help you create a technology strategy that identifies the right solutions to help you achieve your organization\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s get started: <\/strong>Contact us today<\/strong><\/a> to speak with one of our experts. <\/strong><\/p>\nIt helps to think about AI for nonprofits in terms of productivity.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Nonprofits should approach AI as they do any other technology.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Successful AI adoption for nonprofits requires some preparation.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Nonprofits should be ready for changing expectations.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Take the next step with your nonprofit\u2019s AI strategy.<\/strong><\/h2>\n