As we peer into our special nonprofit crystal ball, it is clear that artificial intelligence (AI) will play a major role in transforming how charities and organizations work. By 2023, AI technology will have advanced significantly and become more accessible, allowing nonprofits who implement these tools effectively to achieve near unimaginable increases in their productivity.
What is artificial intelligence and what benefits does it offer the nonprofit sector?
AI is a form of technology that uses algorithms and data to provide a multitude of enhancements and the ability to automate tasks, allowing many processes to be done faster and at higher quality than before. These capabilities can exponentially improve the effectiveness of nonprofits, enabling them to perform work that might not have been possible without the assistance of AI.
How will AI technology change the way nonprofits operate in 2023?
By the end of 2023, AI-based tools will be commonplace in the nonprofit sector, enabling organizations to do things they might think impossible today. Generative AI tools will allow the creation of text, images, audio, and even video at a quantity AND quality currently unimaginable. Automated processes will reduce the time and costs associated with tasks across the entire organization, while improved intelligence will enable nonprofits to better understand trends and develop more effective strategies for achieving their goals.
What challenges must nonprofits overcome to implement AI technology successfully into their workflows?
The successful implementation of AI technology into a nonprofit’s workflow requires careful planning and preparation. Nonprofits must first identify what areas of their operations will benefit most from AI and then develop strategies for integrating AI tools and processes into those areas. Additionally, nonprofits must ensure that their data is accurate and reflects the current state of their operations, as outdated or inaccurate data cannot just impede AI’s effectiveness, it can render it potentially harmful. Finally, nonprofits must consider the ethical implications of using AI technology, such as privacy concerns, biases embedded in data sets, and a range of issues that can emerge with radical automation of tasks and amplification of effort.
How can nonprofits prepare for these changes to benefit from developments in AI?
To prepare for the changes that AI will bring to the nonprofit sector, organizations must develop an ability to rapidly identify candidate AI projects, run pilots, measure effectiveness, and repeat. Nonprofits should invest in technology and infrastructure that can support their AI efforts, such as cloud-based software solutions, while also investing in staff training to ensure they are up to date on the latest capabilities of AI technologies and how they can be used. Additionally, nonprofits should consider partnering with technology partners who use these tools regularly and can help them develop the necessary strategies and processes for integrating AI into their operations.
With the right preparations in place, nonprofits can take full advantage of the opportunities that AI will bring in 2023.