Forum Discussion
The very first organizational adoption of AI steps ... your experience!
I've been reflecting on what I'm hearing about nonprofit AI adoption from leaders in the early stages of the journey. That critical first step is to understand and listen to staff concerns about how...
Working for a youth-serving organization that focuses on workforce development, the fear from staff is often around economic disruptions and what this means for the young people we support. At the end of the day, most staff have come around when we recognize that we aren't going to turn the tide on this. By embracing AI, we can better support young people and better understand and prepare for what's coming.
- Love this story! Just curious how you helped staff make the mindset shift? What did your organization's leaders say or model that helped?
- Our EVP of Programs is a tech enthusiast so that helps. He is also speaks English as a second language and has been open with the power of AI to provide feedback on his communications before he sends them, so that goes a long way. I've also tried very hard to have all of the example use cases be presented by staff from across the organization rather than from me as the Digital Development Director. That has required seeking out colleagues from Programs, BD, HR, etc., and asking them to show off for others how they are using AI in their work. This way the endorsement is not coming from me, but rather from peers.
- Such an important piece of organizational adoption - to have some social proofing internally! Brilliant strategy and example. Thanks for sharing.
