Since late 2022, ChatGPT has changed our collective understanding and discourse about the potential uses of generative A.I. Now we’re seeing A.I. tools created specifically for nonprofits becoming available in just months, and this opens up many possibilities. For example, even a small organization could now use this technology to translate donation pages into dozens of languages in hours, without having to hire a single translator.
Generative A.I. represents a seismic shift in the kinds of innovation that are possible, and it might even start to close the innovation gap that has persisted for decades between the nonprofit and private sectors.
To help you figure out how to get in on this trend, here are four practical ways organizations of any size or mission can use generative A.I. to stay at the forefront of innovation and drive greater impact.
A.I. Can Be a Demystifyer
For many groups, simply evaluating new technologies can be daunting. While generative-A.I. tools like ChatGPT and Bard do not always have the latest information about features and functionality of technology platforms, they still have vast knowledge of the general landscape, and importantly, a snapshot of the public dialogue around tools.
A.I. can simplify the early process of winnowing down which technologies might help your organization solve specific problems by offering broad pros and cons, insights into the dialogue concerning particular tools, and in some cases stories of how other groups have used them.
A.I. Can Be a Product-Management Assistant
In the technology sector, crafting requirements for tech solutions is a specialized skill that’s often reserved for product managers. (Full disclosure: I am a proud former product manager and chief product officer.) These individuals strive to understand challenges within an organization and communicate to engineering teams how specific solutions or web development would help solve them. The engineers then create computer code to meet the requirements and create a tech solution.
You could adapt this process at your nonprofit by asking a generative A.I. large-language model to “take on the role of a product manager” and produce requirements to solve a problem the organization is facing. The response can help you communicate more quickly and easily draft requirements for an IT team or technology account manager, in a language and style they’re familiar with.
A.I. Can Be a Guide for Developing Tech Solutions
Small IT teams are often stretched thin, juggling multiple projects with limited resources. So-called “no/low-code tools” (think Salesforce or Blackbaud, mobile app platform builders like Adalo, or similar solutions) have become increasingly valuable over the years because they enable teams to build mobile apps and other applications without having to code at all. However, they still require a learning curve for people without a technology background. Those with patience can learn to use generative A.I. as a tutor and guide to streamline the development of these kinds of solutions.
Here’s an example from a small social enterprise I run in Washington, D.C., called the Regular App. We took documentation from the “how to” section of the Adalo platform and turned it into PDFs, which we then uploaded to ChatGPT with a PDF Plugin. Using that knowledge, the A.I. gave us step-by-step instructions for how to rebuild our mobile application and web app on Adalo. As a result, in just over a month and for less than $300, we completely rebuilt an app that took more than $20,000 and nearly a year to create.
A.I. Can Be an Innovation Strategist
Notably, what makes generative A.I. unique and of interest to so many is its ability to simply hold a conversation. I often say it is the first tool in the history of humankind that can “listen” to its users’ thoughts and problems and tell you how it might help.
So, I suggest you take the time to think through innovations that could help your organization accomplish more and increase impact. Then, share these thoughts with a generative A.I. tool and ask it to “take on the role” of an innovation strategist for your organization. For example, you could ask it to “provide an initial draft list of major funders known to support your cause,” or “create a series of social media posts for LinkedIn using the below text from our annual report.” You’ll want to fact check when using these technologies in their early stages, but I’m willing to bet you’ll be surprised by the results.
The future is now, and it’s moving fast. Artificial Intelligence, properly used by nonprofits, has the potential to expand the capabilities of organizations — particularly under-served groups. These nonprofits often are stretched so thin that they need all the help they can get to do the work needed to fulfill their important missions.
As these technologies rapidly evolve, I hope to see a world where nonprofits are not just users but also leaders in ensuring responsible and sustainable innovation. A world where the organizations striving to make a difference are equipped with the best tools — the same ones that drive profit in the private sector. A world where the development of these tools is heavily influenced by users who have social impact as a core goal. Taken together, that world would signal a new era for innovation in the social impact sector.
