Forum Discussion

Beth_Kanter's avatar
Beth_Kanter
Iron Contributor
Jan 26, 2024

How will AI impact your nonprofit's workplace culture? What is your strategic play to prepare?

 

 

AI Generated Image:  Create a visual to represent these concepts

The most recent AI research shows there are clear productivity benefits for getting stuff done, learning new things, and reducing overload.   So, as we adapt to this new way of working, there could be three phases or different scenarios


Early: The Persistent Tides A Future of Continuity: In this scenario, the impact of AI on the workplace is significant but not transformative. The workplace culture (slowly) adjusts to the integration of AI, leading to improved productivity, but the fundamental nature of most jobs remains unchanged. 

Mid: The Rogue Wave: A Future of Workplace Upheaval
This scenario is a transformation in the workplace due to AI. It predicts a massive increase in AI power, leading to significant job changes, altering the nature of work, and requiring significant re-skilling and professional development efforts.

Mature: Navigating the Changing Tides: Adjust To Work
Integration of AI leads to a significant reshaping of work and finding new ways to work. It potentially leads to more sustainable work practices and a better balance work-life balance.  AI becomes a force multiplier for serving stakeholders and increases impact.

What is your strategy short-term and long-term to adapt your nonprofit to these changes?



  • I think we are starting from a place of centering the heart of our people and culture, and then moving into AI. So not trying to adjust our team to AI but rather use AI in a way that feels in alignment with our team culture. It would be easy to try to force it, but we want to make it be an extension of what we have already created culturally as a team.
  • willacuff's avatar
    willacuff
    Copper Contributor
    I think we are starting from a place of centering the heart of our people and culture, and then moving into AI. So not trying to adjust our team to AI but rather use AI in a way that feels in alignment with our team culture. It would be easy to try to force it, but we want to make it be an extension of what we have already created culturally as a team.
    • Beth_Kanter's avatar
      Beth_Kanter
      Iron Contributor
      willacuff Yes! Leading with your values are important as the first step. What would you do as first step to center your people and organization's values - then use the AI that is in alignment?

  • Joelogunsola's avatar
    Joelogunsola
    Copper Contributor
    This question actually connects to our question around how do we scale effectively across the African continent while keeping the learning relevant across different geographies and demographies as well as adaptive. We believe AI holds the key to helping us transform.
  • AubrieFennecken's avatar
    AubrieFennecken
    Copper Contributor
    This is such a great question! I'm feeling acutely aware that we do not have a strategy at the moment - and need to craft one asap.
    • Beth_Kanter's avatar
      Beth_Kanter
      Iron Contributor

      AubrieFennecken After listening to the session about reskilling and jobs with Meg Garlinghouse  and Karin Kimbrough on the second day of the conference about talent and skilling strategy.   

      Data says …
      12% of nonprofit job tasks will be augmented or change
      39% of nonprofit job tasks disrupted

      Disrupted does not mean the job will be eliminated but it means that the job might shift to different tasks and require using or learning different skills (and that would need some re-skilling)

      For example, a fundraiser whose job is “disrupted,” may save a lot of time on desk prospect research and have more time to take donors out to lunch or cultivate. 

      So, maybe the first step is start with an adoption strategy that includes AI skilling first, continue to assess how time is being freed up and allocated, and adapt jobs. 

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