Azure Document Intelligence - How to Extract Data from PDFs and Scanned Files
Imagine this: your nonprofit receives dozens—maybe hundreds—of forms every month. Volunteer sign-ups, program applications, donation forms, surveys. Now imagine you could automatically extract the data from those documents, no matter the layout, and drop it neatly into a spreadsheet or database—with zero manual entry. That’s not a dream. It’s Azure Document Intelligence in action. Whether you're processing handwritten forms, structured PDFs, or invoices from partner organizations, Document Intelligence can turn them into actionable data in minutes. Let’s walk through what it is and exactly how to get started—no coding required. In 2025, Microsoft now offers two ways to work with this tool: the new Azure AI Studio (also known as Foundry) or the original Document Intelligence Studio. Both are currently available, but AI Studio is the direction Microsoft is heading. 📄 What Is Azure Document Intelligence? Azure Document Intelligence is a service that uses AI-powered optical character recognition (OCR) to: Analyze and extract text, tables, and key-value pairs from documents Understand form structure (even if layout varies) Turn scanned documents or PDFs into structured data You can use prebuilt models (like invoice or receipt recognition),or train a custom model to understand your own document types. 🛠️ How to Use Azure Document Intelligence to Read Forms ⚡ Option 1: Use the New Azure AI Studio (Recommended) Azure AI Studio (formerly Azure AI Foundry) is Microsoft’s unified interface for working with AI-powered services like Document Intelligence. This is the platform that will eventually replace Document Intelligence Studio. 🔹 Step 1: Go to Azure AI Studio Sign in with your Azure account. 👉 https://ai.azure.com Choose Build a solution → Document Intelligence. If it’s your first time, you’ll be prompted to create a new project. 🔹 Step 2: Set Up the Document Intelligence Resource Select your Azure subscription, region, and resource group. Name your project (e.g., volunteer-forms). You’ll be issued: An Endpoint URL An API key Note: Keep these for later—they’re required for API calls or Power Automate connections. 🔹 Step 3: Upload and Train Your Model Upload sample forms (PDFs or images). Label fields like name, email, and date. Train a custom model using at least 5 of more example situations. Test and view your results in structured format within the testing pane. 🔹 Step 4: Use the Data Export to Excel or JSON. Connect to Power Automate, Power Apps, or your CRM via API. Check out this blog to see more on the Azure AI Foundry and a video walkthrough of the platform Build, Deploy, & Manage AI with Azure AI Foundry | Microsoft Community Hub 🧭 Option 2: Use Document Intelligence Studio (Legacy Interface) Step 1: Set Up the Document Intelligence Resource in Azure Go to the Azure Portal. Click Create a resource. Search for Document Intelligence (formerly Form Recognizer) and select it. Click Create and fill out the basics: Subscription: Choose your nonprofit subscription. Resource group: Use an existing one or create a new one. Region: Choose the region closest to you. Name: Something like doc-intel-demo. Pricing tier: Choose Free F0 if you're testing (limited pages/month), or Standard if using your credits. Click Review + Create > Create. Step 2: Use the Document Intelligence Studio This is the visual, no-code interface for trying out Document Intelligence. Visit Document Intelligence Studio. Log in with your Azure account. Click Get started. On the left, click Models > Custom model > Build a model. Paste in your Endpoint and Key from the Azure portal. Choose Create project and fill in: Project name (e.g., VolunteerFormsModel) Storage container: You’ll need a Blob Storage account with your forms uploaded (see next step). Source: Select the folder with your form samples. Step 3: Upload Your Forms to Blob Storage In Azure, create a Storage Account if you don’t have one already. Go to Containers and create a new container (e.g., forms-training). Upload 5–10 sample forms of the same type. These can be PDFs, scans, or images. Make sure the forms are consistent in layout (for best results). In Document Intelligence Studio, link this container to your project. Step 4: Label the Forms Once your forms are uploaded, start labeling fields (like Name, Date, Email). The AI will try to guess some fields—confirm or correct them. Do this for 5+ documents to train the model. Click Train model once labeling is complete. Step 5: Test the Model After training, go to Test model. Upload a new, unlabeled form and run the model. Watch as it extracts structured data like: Name: Jane Doe Email: jane@example.org Program Interest: Youth Mentoring Review the output in JSON or table format. Step 6: Export or Use the Results You can: Export the data to Excel Connect via API to feed into a database or CRM Use Power Automate to automate workflows (like adding entries to SharePoint or sending confirmation emails) check out the blog below to see up the workflow ➡️Automate the Busywork: How Nonprofits Can Use Power Automate to Extract and Process Form Data | Microsoft Community Hub Real-World Nonprofit Use Cases Here’s how nonprofits are using Document Intelligence right now: Digitizing intake forms for case management Automatically processing volunteer applications Scanning paper surveys into Excel Extracting info from grant agreements or invoices Final Thoughts Azure Document Intelligence makes what used to be tedious—scanning and retyping forms—quick, intelligent, and scalable. Once set up, it can save your nonprofit hours of manual entry each week and reduce human error. ➡️Automate the Busywork: How Nonprofits Can Use Power Automate to Extract and Process Form Data | Microsoft Community HubAutomate the Busywork: How Nonprofits Can Use Power Automate to Extract and Process Form Data
Didn't read the first blog? Check it out here ➡️ Streamlining Non-Profit Operations with Power Automate Templates (Video Tutorial Included) | Microsoft Community Hub You’ve scanned the forms. You’ve saved the PDFs. Now what? For many nonprofits, getting data from documents into a system—whether it’s SharePoint, Excel, or your CRM—is a time-consuming, manual process. But it doesn’t have to be. With Power Automate, you can automatically trigger a workflow every time a form is uploaded, extract key data, and send it exactly where it needs to go. Whether you’re using Azure Document Intelligence to read the forms or just need to automate your document workflow, Power Automate is your nonprofit’s new best friend. 🧩 What Is Power Automate? Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) is Microsoft’s automation tool that lets you create workflows between your apps and services—without writing code. For nonprofits, that might mean: Creating a task every time a form is submitted Saving form responses to SharePoint Sending an automatic email to a volunteer when their application is received Extracting data from a PDF and sending it to Excel or Dataverse You can do all of that—and more—with just a few clicks. 🔄 Scenario: Process Volunteer Application Forms Automatically Let’s walk through an example: a nonprofit receives scanned PDFs of volunteer forms in a shared folder. They want to extract the name, email, and interests from each form and add it to a SharePoint list. We’ll assume they’ve already trained a custom model in Azure Document Intelligence. Here’s how to build the flow in Power Automate. 🛠️ Step-by-Step: Automate Your Form Workflow with Power Automate Step 1: Set Up Your SharePoint List Go to SharePoint and create a new Custom List. Add the following columns: Name (Single line of text) Email (Single line of text) ProgramInterest (Choice or text) This is where your extracted form data will land. Step 2: Create a New Flow in Power Automate Go to Power Automate. Click Create > Automated cloud flow. Give it a name like Process Volunteer Forms. Choose the trigger: When a file is created in a folder (OneDrive or SharePoint). Step 3: Add the Azure Document Intelligence Connector Click + New Step > Search for Form Recognizer or Document Intelligence. Choose Analyze form (or Analyze with custom model if you trained one). Paste in your endpoint and API key (from the Azure portal). Choose: The model ID you trained (e.g., VolunteerForms) The URL of the uploaded file Step 4: Parse the Response Add a Parse JSON step. Use the sample output from your Document Intelligence model to generate the schema. Pull out fields like Name, Email, ProgramInterest. Step 5: Create the SharePoint Item Add a step: Create item in SharePoint. Point to your list and map the extracted fields to the appropriate columns. Check out this blog for more ideas on creating a flow Automate Your External Data Collection: Power Automate and Microsoft Forms | Microsoft Community Hub take a look at the video below for a visual walkthrough on a similar example Optional: Send a Confirmation Email Add an Outlook step: Send an email (V2). Address it to the email you extracted. Add a friendly message confirming the application was received. ✅ Bonus Scenarios for Nonprofits 🧾 Invoice Processing: Upload scanned invoices, extract amounts and vendors, and add to a tracking system. Check out this blog to see how Streamlining Invoice Processing for Nonprofits with Power Automate | Microsoft Community Hub 📝 Intake Forms: Convert handwritten client intake forms into CRM entries. 📥 Survey Collection: Process paper-based surveys and feed results into Power BI. 💵 Is It Free? Power Automate has a free tier and many flows work with the services nonprofits already use (like SharePoint, Outlook, OneDrive). More advanced features (like premium connectors) can be covered using your Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit credits or licensing grants. 📊 Connect the Dots with Power Platform Power Automate is even more powerful when combined with: Power Apps (to build simple apps for your team) Power BI (to visualize the data you're collecting) Azure AI (for intelligent document reading, translation, and more) Final Thoughts If your nonprofit is still manually entering data from forms, you’re leaving time and resources on the table. Power Automate empowers anyone—regardless of tech background—to build workflows that save time, reduce errors, and let your team focus on what really matters: your mission. Let the machines do the busywork. You’ve got better things to do.Build, Deploy, & Manage AI with Azure AI Foundry
Microsoft's Unified AI Development Platform Imagine an Enterprise organization with multiple departments which need to create new AI solutions to streamline operations while boosting customer experience. Each has different objectives and goals they are trying to achieve with AI. Marketing wants to analyze customer engagement on social media, Finance aims to spot fraud, and Operations plans to predict when machines need repairs. Teams have different subscriptions, resource groups, storage, etc. per department. Resource management can be tedious to say the least while sharing data safely, with the added complexity of provisioning things accurately. That is where Azure AI Foundry comes in. Azure AI Foundry is a unified platform allowing organizations to have a centralized hub where they can manage their AI development with the tools and features they need. Nonprofits can now step into the world of AI and build their own solutions for their organization and the communities they serve. Azure AI Foundry is accessible to developers and beginners alike, making AI implementation cost-effective for organizations of any size. In this blog we will cover How you can get started with Azure AI Foundry. Before we begin, there are some prerequisites that need to be made before you start your journey. Prerequisites & Azure Role Based Access Control (RBAC) Acquiring an Azure Account Azure AI Foundry is integrated into Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure. To use the platform, you will need an Azure Account. You need to be assigned the role of Owner or have your administrator assign you the appropriate role. You can learn more about Azure AI Foundry roles in the Role Comparison Between Foundry Projects and Hub Based Projects. Nonprofits can take advantage of Microsoft’s Nonprofit $2000 Azure Sponsorship Credit Subscription. You will need to be an approved participant of Microsoft’s Nonprofit Offers Program. To learn more about how you can get started please see the following blogs: Getting Signed Up with Microsoft Nonprofits Program | Microsoft Community Hub Claiming Azure Credits | Microsoft Community Hub Azure Role Based Access Control (RBAC) Access Control and identity management are crucial steps in safeguarding your sensitive data. Organizations that deal with global privacy compliance standards understand the necessity of securing and hardening their environment. Microsoft aims to empower clients with security tools and measures built in Azure to help secure access to their resources. One of these tools is Microsoft Entra ID (formerly known as Azure Active Directory) which applies built-in roles with limited access and permissions to resources based on their job function, known as Role Based Access Control (RBAC). This follows a security principle called The Principle of Least Privilege. For example, a Business Analyst may need access to Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) to record interactions with stakeholders, allocate budgets, and manage financial records. The Business Analyst would need administrative access related to worked performed. However, they would not need access to creating resources such as virtual machines since that is out of the scope of their role. This ensures security best practices to prevent access to highly sensitive data. Azure AI Foundry has roles designed for developers, managers, and users. By assigning specific roles, such as reader or manager, organizations can ensure that only authorized individuals can view or modify critical AI tools and data. Keep this in mind when granting access to users. Below is a comparison of the features and capabilities of the two project types within Azure AI Foundry: Foundry Project and Hub Based Project. Disclaimer: Some roles may limit functionality in the Azure AI Foundry portal. For example, if a user cannot create a compute instance, that option will not appear in the studio. This prevents access denied errors. Types of Projects Foundry Project Hub-based Project Built on Azure AI Foundry resource Agents Azure AI Foundry Models Azure AI Foundry API Agents Project files (upload and start experimenting) Project-level isolation of files and outputs Evaluations Playground Hosted on Azure AI Foundry Hub Agents (preview) Create if features are not available in Foundry project Azure AI Foundry Models (Connections) Azure AI Foundry API Agents (Connections) Project-level isolation of files and outputs Evaluations Playground Prompt flow Managed compute Azure Storage account & Azure Key Vault Role Comparison Between Foundry Project & Hub Based Project Foundry Project Azure AI User: Azure AI User This role grants reader access to AI projects, reader access to AI accounts, and data actions for an AI project. This role is automatically assigned to the user if they can assign roles. If not, this role must be granted by your subscription Owner or user with role assignment privileges. Azure AI Project Manager: Azure AI Project Manager This role lets you perform management actions on Azure AI Foundry projects, build and develop projects, and grants conditional assignment of the Azure AI User role to other user principles. Azure AI Account Owner: Azure AI Account Owner This role grants full access to managing AI projects, accounts, and grants conditional assignment of the Azure AI User role to other user principles. Hub-Based Project Owner: Full access to the hub, including the ability to manage and create new hubs and assign permissions. This role is automatically assigned to the hub creator Contributor: Users have full access to the hub, including the ability to create new hubs, but cannot manage hub permissions on the existing resource. Azure AI Administrator (preview): This role is automatically assigned to the system-assigned managed identity for the hub. The Azure AI Administrator role has the minimum permissions needed for the managed identity to perform its tasks. For more information, see Azure AI Administrator role (preview). Azure AI Developer: Perform all actions except create new hubs and manage the hub permissions. For example, users can create projects, compute, and connections. Users can assign permissions within their project. Users can interact with existing Azure AI resources such as Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Search, and Azure AI services. Azure AI Inference Deployment Operator: Perform all actions required to create a resource deployment within a resource group. Reader: Read only access to the hub. This role is automatically assigned to all project members within the hub. Playgrounds, Agents, & Models Oh My! Model Catalog Investing in AI can be expensive, from overhead to capital expenditure. Adoption and development can be costly for many organizations with tight budgets. Nonprofits that want to venture in AI development are met with the challenge of balancing budget with performance and navigating the ever-evolving AI landscape. Nonprofits need the ability to evaluate and test drive models before making the major investment to develop AI projects. Azure AI Foundry now makes it easy to compare models and benchmarks for the latest AI models. Choose from a comprehensive collection of models from Open AI, Meta, Mistral, Grok, Cohere, and more. Track your model's quota usage to stay within limits. Fine-tuned AI Models Create tailored experiences with fine-tuned AI models by utilizing base models from Azure AI Foundry and adapting your own data to create an experience to cater to your audience. For nonprofits and businesses alike, fine-tuned models offer a practical path to maximize impact without the need for intensive computational resources or expertise. Whether optimizing for customer support, document summarization, healthcare analysis, or content generation, fine-tuning ensures AI solutions are more effective and aligned to user needs. Playgrounds Playgrounds are a workspace where you can work on GPTs, Assistants, Real-time audio, Images, and Completions. Playgrounds are a great way to test and compare models before making a full commitment to adopting them. Built-in tools let you quickly benchmark and evaluate what works best with your needs. You can choose from a variety of the latest models from OpenAI and third-party vendors. Setup is made simple with just a few clicks by picking your model. Chat: A chat playground lets users work with AI chat models in real time. Assistants: The Assistants’ playground is designed for experimenting with AI-driven assistants tailored to a wide range of tasks. Real-time audio: The Real-time Audio playground provides an interactive space to experiment with advanced audio-based AI models. Images: The Images playground offers an intuitive environment for working with state-of-the-art image generation and analysis models. Completions: The Completions playground allows users to test text generation models by providing prompts and adjusting settings for tasks such as content creation, summarization, or code generation. As you can see, you have many options to choose from. Create agentic bots for customer interactions or develop a chatbot for end users using specific organizational knowledge such as FAQs and documents with citations. The sky is the limit, with Azure adding new features and capabilities to improve user experience. Developers can also get started with templates and use IDEs like Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code. Now, let us talk about how you can integrate your data to refine and improve your workflows. In the next section we will discuss how you can connect your data to your customized solutions. Connecting Data Sources Connecting your data storage to Azure AI Foundry’s playground assistants, fine-tuned models, batch pipelines, and evaluation workflows is direct and straightforward. You can link storage accounts, databases, Azure blob storage, uploaded files, and Azure AI Search to supply datasets for training, testing, or real-time use. Built-in connectors and APIs make integration simple, while role-based permissions control access. Data lineage and versioning help track and manage information, ensuring your assistants and models use accurate, reliable inputs before applying additional security and governance tools. Compatible Storage Types Azure Blob Storage Azure AI Search Azure Cosmo DB for Mongo DB Uploaded Files URL/ Web Address JSON Governance & Security Azure AI Foundry provides tools to ensure the security of projects. One such tool is Role Based Access Control (RBAC), which we spoke about early. However, Azure AI Foundry integrates a security framework designed to protect sensitive data and comply with industry standards. It employs a combination of tools, governance controls, and continuous monitoring to assist organizations in developing AI solutions securely. Users can set up controls like content filters and block lists. Security recommendations are available through Windows Defender XDR integration, offering protection against data leakage, data poisoning, jailbreaks, and credential theft. Additionally, compliance policies from Microsoft Purview help maintain security measures. Security & Governance Features Compliance Security Framework Private Endpoints & Network Isolation Role Based Access Control Guard rails & Controls Data Encryption Microsoft Purview Defender XDR Integration Taken together, robust governance and security features offer organizations peace of mind, ensuring that their AI projects are not only innovative but also responsibly managed and protected against emerging threats. As organizations scale their AI initiatives, understanding and managing resource usage becomes equally important. This is where quotas come into play, helping teams allocate resources efficiently and maintain optimal performance as they build and deploy AI solutions. Managing Token Quotas Azure AI Foundry provides comprehensive tools that empower teams to monitor and manage token quotas across a diverse range of model consumption patterns. Whether your workloads are categorized as Global standard, Global provisioned, Global batch, Data zone standard, Data zone provisioned, Data zone batch, standard, or Regional, the platform allows for granular visibility into resource allocation and consumption. This centralized tracking ensures that organizations can proactively identify usage bottlenecks, optimize deployment strategies, and stay within defined limits, all while supporting efficient scaling and sustaining high performance for their AI solutions. How to Get Started Get started by visiting Azure AI foundry at https://ai.azure.com. Begin leveraging Azure AI Foundry, organizations should first explore the platform’s intuitive interface and robust documentation, which offer step-by-step guidance for onboarding teams of any size. Users can discover a suite of developer SDKs, prebuilt templates, and ready-to-deploy chatbot solutions that expedite the setup process. Engaging with these resources enables teams to rapidly prototype, customize, and scale AI solutions according to their unique requirements. Additionally, organizations are encouraged to take advantage of the extensive educational content and support channels provided, ensuring a smooth transition from initial exploration to full-scale AI deployment. With these tools and resources at their fingertips, teams can confidently embark on their AI journey, transforming innovative ideas into impactful outcomes. Hyperlinks Introducing Azure AI Foundry - Everything you need for AI development Build your own copilot with Azure AI Studio (Part 1) | Microsoft Learn Role-based access control in Azure AI Foundry portal - Azure AI Foundry | Microsoft Learn QuickStart: Get started with Azure AI Foundry - Azure AI Foundry | Microsoft Learn How to configure a private link for an Azure AI Foundry hub - Azure AI Foundry | Microsoft Learn Azure OpenAI Service - Pricing | Microsoft AzureUnderstanding the Fundamentals of AI Concepts for Nonprofits
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a cornerstone of modern technology, driving innovation across various sectors. Nonprofits, too, can harness the power of AI to enhance their operations and amplify their impact. In this blog, we'll explore fundamental AI concepts, common AI workloads, Microsoft's Responsible AI policies, and the tools and services available through Azure AI, all tailored for the nonprofit sector. Understanding AI Workloads AI workloads refer to the different types of tasks that AI systems can perform. Here are some common AI workloads relevant to nonprofits: Machine Learning: This involves training a computer model to make predictions and draw conclusions from data. Nonprofits can use machine learning to predict donor behavior, optimize fundraising strategies, and analyze program outcomes. Computer Vision: This capability allows software to interpret the world visually through cameras, video, and images. Applications include identifying and tracking wildlife for conservation efforts or analyzing images to assess disaster damage. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP enables computers to understand and respond to human language. Nonprofits can use NLP for sentiment analysis of social media posts, language translation for multilingual communities, and developing conversational AI like chatbots for donor engagement. Anomaly Detection: This involves automatically detecting errors or unusual activity. It is useful for fraud detection in financial transactions, monitoring network security, and ensuring data integrity. Conversational AI: This refers to the capability of a software agent to engage in conversations with humans. Examples include chatbots and virtual assistants that can answer questions, provide recommendations, and perform tasks, enhancing donor and beneficiary interactions. Responsible AI Practices As AI technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure it is developed and used responsibly. Microsoft's Responsible AI policies emphasize the importance of fairness, reliability, safety, privacy, security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems. These principles guide the development and deployment of AI solutions to ensure they benefit everyone and do not cause harm. To learn more about Microsoft Responsible AI Practices click here: Empowering responsible AI practices | Microsoft AI Azure AI Services for Nonprofits Microsoft Azure offers a suite of AI services that enable nonprofits to build intelligent applications. Some key services include: Azure Machine Learning: A comprehensive platform for building, training, and deploying machine learning models. It supports a wide range of machine learning frameworks and tools, helping nonprofits analyze data and make informed decisions. To learn more or get started with Azure Machine Learning click here: Azure Machine Learning - ML as a Service | Microsoft Azure Azure AI Bot Service: A service for building conversational AI applications. It provides tools for creating, testing, and deploying chatbots that can interact with users through various channels, improving donor engagement and support services. To learn more or get started with Azure AI Bot Service click here: Azure AI Bot Service | Microsoft Azure Azure Cognitive Services: A collection of APIs that enable developers to add AI capabilities to their applications. These services include vision, speech, language, and decision-making APIs, which can be used for tasks like image recognition, language translation, and sentiment analysis. To learn more about the various Cognitive Service please click here: Azure AI Services – Using AI for Intelligent Apps | Microsoft Azure Conclusion AI has the potential to transform the nonprofit sector by enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and providing valuable insights. By understanding AI workloads, adhering to responsible AI practices, and leveraging Azure AI services, nonprofits can unlock the full potential of AI to better serve their communities and achieve their missions. Embrace the power of AI to take your nonprofit organization to new heights and make a greater impact. For a deeper dive into the fundamental concepts of AI, please visit the module Fundamental AI Concepts. This resource will provide you with essential insights and a solid foundation to enhance your knowledge in the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence.An Interactive Exercise: How AI Can Enhance Your Day-to-Day Tasks – A Mini Guide
With artificial intelligence transforming the way we work, integrating it into daily tasks can feel overwhelming. Many professionals struggle with time-consuming, repetitive activities that don’t require deep thinking—whether it’s summarizing meetings, generating reports, or managing emails. What if AI could help reclaim those hours so you can focus on more strategic, creative, or high-value work? This interactive exercise will guide you through identifying tasks that could benefit from AI, matching them to the right tools, and estimating the potential time savings. By the end, you’ll have a personalized AI productivity plan tailored to your workflow. Whether you’re new to AI or already exploring its capabilities, this process will help you take actionable steps toward working smarter, not harder. Let’s dive in! Step 1: Identify Repetitive or Time-Consuming Tasks Think about your daily and weekly responsibilities. What tasks take up too much of your time but don’t necessarily require deep thinking or creativity? 📝 Write down 3-5 tasks that: ✅ Are repetitive and routine (e.g., summarizing meetings, scheduling, data entry). ✅ Take significant time to complete. ✅ Could benefit from automation or AI assistance. 💡 Example: “I spend 30 minutes every morning summarizing industry news for my team.” Step 2: Find the Right AI Tools for Your Needs Now, let’s match those tasks to AI capabilities! Review your list and think about how AI could assist or automate each task. 🤖 AI-powered solutions to consider: 🔹 Copilot for Microsoft 365 → Drafts emails, generates reports, summarizes meetings. 🔹 Microsoft Designer → Creates visual content for presentations or marketing. 🔹 Power BI Smart Narratives → Generates instant data insights. 🔹 Microsoft Syntex → Automates document processing. 🔹 Azure AI Content Safety → Monitors workplace communication for compliance. 📌 Match your tasks to at least one AI tool that could help. 💡 Example: “Instead of manually summarizing news, I could use AI in Copilot or ChatGPT to generate a concise industry update in minutes.” Step 3: Calculate Your Time Savings If AI took over some of these tasks, how much time would you gain each week? ⏳ For each AI-assisted task, estimate: 🔹 Time currently spent per week 🔹 Time AI could save 🔹 What you could do with that extra time 💡 Example: “If AI summarizes news in 5 minutes instead of 30, that’s 2+ hours saved per week that I could use for strategy meetings.” Step 4: Test & Implement AI into Your Workflow Now, pick one task and commit to using AI to assist with it this week. 🎯 Your Action Plan: 1️⃣ Choose one AI-powered tool to explore. 2️⃣ Apply it to one of your repetitive tasks. 3️⃣ Track your results—did AI help? Was the output useful? 4️⃣ Reflect: What worked well? What adjustments do you need? 💡 Example: “This week, I’ll use Copilot to summarize meeting notes and see if it saves me time.” Step 5: Share & Reflect Your Findings Let’s take 2 minutes to discuss: 🗣 What’s one task you think AI could enhance in your role? 🔄 What AI tool do you want to try first? 📊 What’s one way you’ll track your AI-driven productivity improvements? 🔹 Bonus Challenge: Keep a log of your AI-powered enhancements over the next month and review the results! Outcome: A Personalized AI Productivity Plan By the end of this exercise, you’ll have: ✅ Identified tasks AI can assist with. ✅ Matched them to the right AI tools. ✅ Estimated your time savings. ✅ Committed to testing AI in your workflow. 💡 Final Thought: AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about reclaiming time for higher-value work. Start small, track your progress, and unlock AI’s full potential in your role! 🚀
Transforming Healthcare with AI: A Comprehensive Guide for Nonprofits
In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force. For nonprofits, leveraging AI can lead to significant improvements in patient care, operational efficiency, and overall impact. This blog explores how AI can be integrated into healthcare practices, drawing insights from the Microsoft AI learning path for healthcare leaders Understanding AI in Healthcare AI encompasses a range of technologies that enable machines to mimic human intelligence. In healthcare, AI applications include predictive analytics, natural language processing, and machine learning, all of which can enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and improve patient outcomes. Key Areas of AI Application in Healthcare Predictive Analytics: AI can analyze vast amounts of data to predict patient outcomes, identify potential health risks, and suggest preventive measures. This is particularly useful for managing chronic diseases and improving population health. Personalized Medicine: By analyzing genetic information and other health data, AI can help tailor treatments to individual patients, leading to more effective and targeted therapies. Operational Efficiency: AI can automate administrative tasks, optimize resource allocation, and improve workflow efficiency. This allows healthcare providers to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork. Clinical Decision Support: AI-powered tools can assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing diseases, recommending treatments, and monitoring patient progress. These tools can provide real-time insights and support evidence-based decision-making. Steps to Implement AI in Healthcare Leverage AI Tools and Resources: Nonprofits can start by exploring the AI tools and resources available through platforms like Microsoft Azure. These tools can help organizations understand the basics of AI and how it can be applied to their specific needs. Create Business Value from AI: Developing an AI strategy is crucial. Nonprofits should identify areas where AI can add the most value, such as improving patient care or optimizing operations. This involves setting clear goals, allocating resources, and fostering an AI-ready culture. Embrace Responsible AI Practices: Ethical considerations are paramount in healthcare. Nonprofits must ensure that their AI applications adhere to principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability. This includes implementing robust governance frameworks and continuously monitoring AI systems for bias and errors. Scale AI in Your Organization: Once initial AI projects are successful, nonprofits should look to scale these solutions across their organization. This involves training staff, integrating AI into existing workflows, and continuously evaluating the impact of AI initiatives. Define a Microsoft AI Strategy: Microsoft offers a range of AI solutions tailored to healthcare. Nonprofits can leverage these solutions to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and drive innovation. Real-world case studies and customer stories can provide valuable insights into how other organizations have successfully implemented AI. Practical Applications for Nonprofits Automated Donor Management: AI can help manage donor relationships by automating communications, tracking donations, and providing personalized engagement strategies. Volunteer Coordination: AI can optimize volunteer scheduling, match volunteers with suitable roles, and streamline communication. Resource Allocation: AI can ensure that resources are used efficiently, reducing waste and improving service delivery. Health Education and Outreach: AI can analyze community health data to identify needs, tailor health education programs, and measure their impact. Conclusion AI holds immense potential for transforming healthcare, especially for nonprofits dedicated to improving community health. By understanding and leveraging AI technologies, nonprofits can enhance their impact, improve patient outcomes, and drive innovation in the healthcare sector. The Microsoft AI learning path provides a comprehensive guide for healthcare leaders to navigate this journey, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for successful AI adoption. For more please follow this learning path: Discover Microsoft AI for leaders in healthcare - Training | Microsoft LearnTransforming Nonprofits with Azure OpenAI
What is Azure OpenAI? Azure OpenAI is a suite of AI services from Microsoft Azure and OpenAI. It lets organizations use advanced AI models like GPT in their applications and processes, enhancing data processing, content creation, and decision-making. Emphasizing scalability, security, and accessibility, Azure OpenAI serves various industries, including nonprofits. Key Features of Azure OpenAI Advanced AI Models: Azure OpenAI provides access to state-of-the-art models like GPT, DALL·E, and Codex, empowering nonprofits to leverage natural language understanding, creative generation, and code automation effectively. Seamless Integration: With integration capabilities into Microsoft Azure's infrastructure, nonprofits can deploy AI solutions alongside existing tools like Azure Cognitive Services, Power BI, and Dynamics 365 for a unified and efficient workflow. High Security and Compliance: Azure OpenAI ensures robust security measures and compliance with global standards, safeguarding sensitive data and upholding trust in nonprofit operations. Customization and Scalability: Nonprofits can tailor AI models to suit their unique requirements, ensuring solutions that adapt to their specific missions and scales as their needs evolve. How Nonprofits Can Benefit from Azure OpenAI Streamlining Operations: Nonprofits often struggle with resource constraints, making operational efficiency crucial. Azure OpenAI enables automation of repetitive tasks such as donor management, report generation, and email outreach, freeing up valuable human resources to focus on mission-critical activities. Enhancing Communication: With natural language processing capabilities, nonprofits can improve communication with stakeholders by generating compelling content like grant proposals, impact reports, and social media campaigns with ease and precision. Data-Driven Decisions: Azure OpenAI helps nonprofits analyze vast amounts of data to uncover insights that drive effective decision-making, from understanding donor trends to optimizing program delivery. Personalized Engagement: Through AI-driven personalization, nonprofits can tailor their messaging to individual donors and beneficiaries, strengthening relationships and fostering long-term commitment. Successful Nonprofit Implementations Case Study: Education for All Foundation The Education for All Foundation used Azure OpenAI’s GPT technology to create personalized tutoring experiences for underserved students. By analyzing individual learning patterns, the foundation developed customized lesson plans, leading to improved student outcomes and broader accessibility to quality education. Case Study: GreenFuture Alliance GreenFuture Alliance harnessed DALL·E to design impactful environmental campaign materials. The AI-generated visuals not only saved time and resources but also inspired greater community engagement in sustainability initiatives. How to Access Azure OpenAI Getting started with Azure OpenAI is a straightforward process that ensures nonprofits can begin leveraging AI-powered solutions quickly and effectively. Follow these step-by-step instructions to access Azure OpenAI: Step 1: Create an Azure Account Visit the Azure Portal and create an account if you do not already have one. Ensure you select the appropriate subscription type, including options tailored for nonprofit organizations, such as nonprofit grants or discounts. Step 2: Verify Eligibility Nonprofits must confirm their eligibility for Azure’s nonprofit pricing structure. Microsoft requires documentation proving nonprofit status, such as tax-exempt certifications or registration details. This verification process ensures access to benefits designed specifically for your organization. Step 3: Access the Azure OpenAI Service Navigate to the Azure Marketplace within the portal and search for the Azure OpenAI service. After selecting it, review the available models, including GPT, Codex, and DALL·E, to determine which fits your nonprofit’s needs. Step 4: Set Up Necessary Credentials Before using the service, ensure your team has the required credentials. Assign proper roles and permissions to administrators to securely manage the account and maintain compliance with Azure policies. Microsoft provides detailed guidelines on credential management for added security. Step 5: Accept the Terms of Service Understanding and accepting Azure’s terms of service is essential. Carefully review the agreements to comprehend usage restrictions, data privacy considerations, and ethical AI guidelines. This step protects your nonprofit from potential legal or operational challenges. Step 6: Customize Your Environment After gaining access, configure the Azure OpenAI environment to align with your nonprofit’s needs. This includes specifying data inputs, setting operational parameters, and integrating the service with existing systems. Step 7: Begin Using Azure OpenAI Once the setup is complete, start deploying Azure OpenAI’s capabilities to support your nonprofit’s activities, whether automating tasks, generating content, or driving impactful campaigns. Ensuring Accessibility and Affordability Microsoft recognizes the financial limitations many nonprofits face. Azure OpenAI services are offered with nonprofit pricing structures and grants to ensure accessibility to small and large nonprofit organizations alike. This commitment to affordability allows nonprofits to innovate without worrying about prohibitive costs. Take the Step Toward Innovation The future of nonprofit operations is here, and it is powered by Azure OpenAI. By unlocking the potential of AI, nonprofits can enhance efficiency, amplify their impact, and achieve missions that change lives. Azure OpenAI is not just a tool—it’s a partner in driving innovation and creating a more equitable world. Start exploring Azure OpenAI today and experience firsthand how advanced technology can revolutionize your nonprofit’s operations. For further research and information, visit Microsoft’s Azure for Nonprofits page or access OpenAI’s resources for social impact innovation.Assessing Different Azure AI Options for Nonprofits
Azure OpenAI Azure OpenAI integrates the power of OpenAI’s cutting-edge language models into the Azure cloud platform. It enables organizations to leverage advanced natural language understanding and generation capabilities, making communication and data processing seamless. Benefits: Automates repetitive tasks such as drafting emails, summarizing reports, and responding to queries. Facilitates enhanced donor engagement with personalized messaging driven by natural language processing. Improves operational efficiency by analyzing large datasets and extracting insights. Practical Applications: A nonprofit focused on education can use Azure OpenAI to generate customized curricula for underprivileged students based on their learning levels. Organizations running helplines can implement intelligent chatbots for 24/7 support, freeing up human resources for complex cases. Azure AI Foundry Azure AI Foundry serves as a comprehensive, collaborative AI development platform. It allows organizations to build, experiment, and deploy AI models tailored to specific goals. Benefits: Provides a collaborative space for data scientists and domain experts to innovate together. Streamlines the development of custom AI solutions, reducing time-to-implementation. Offers pre-built AI solutions for quick deployment, saving valuable resources. Practical Applications: A nonprofit addressing homelessness can use Azure AI Foundry to analyze housing and employment data, predicting trends and optimizing resource allocation. An environmental organization can create AI models to monitor deforestation or track endangered species using satellite imagery. Azure Machine Learning Azure Machine Learning (Azure ML) is an enterprise-grade service for building and deploying machine learning models at scale. It supports a wide range of tools, frameworks, and integrations, making it suitable for nonprofits of all sizes. Benefits: Accelerates the creation of predictive models, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions. Ensures compliance and security, critical for handling sensitive donor or beneficiary data. Supports no-code and low-code options, enabling accessibility for organizations with limited technical expertise. Practical Applications: A healthcare nonprofit can use Azure ML to predict disease outbreaks and allocate resources effectively. A food bank can optimize distribution networks by analyzing supply and demand patterns. Azure AI Solutions at A Glance Service Key Features Benefits Best For Azure OpenAI Natural language processing, text generation Enhanced engagement, operational efficiency Donor communication, automated support Azure AI Foundry Collaborative AI development, pre-built models Custom solutions, faster implementation Innovative projects, data analysis Azure Machine Learning Predictive modeling, no-code options Data-driven decisions, scalability Resource optimization, predictive analytics Conclusion Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Foundry, and Azure Machine Learning each bring unique strengths to the table. For nonprofits seeking to enhance communication and engagement, Azure OpenAI is an excellent choice. If your organization requires tailored AI solutions, Azure AI Foundry offers unparalleled flexibility. For data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics, Azure Machine Learning is the go-to solution. Ready to explore these transformative tools? Visit the official pages for Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Foundry, and Azure Machine Learning to learn more about their capabilities. Empower your nonprofit with the right AI solution and take your mission to the next level!Kalen's Corner: Copilot and the Game Development Revolution
Welcome back to "Kalen’s Corner"! Today, we'll explore how technology and creative storytelling intersect. Nonprofits often miss out on the gaming industry's tech innovations. We'll discuss Microsoft’s Copilot, a tool transforming game development and boosting nonprofit efforts. What is Microsoft Copilot? Before we jump into the gaming world, let’s touch on what Copilot is. Essentially, Copilot is Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant integrated into platforms like GitHub. It’s designed to help developers write code faster, automate repetitive tasks, and even generate creative solutions—an invaluable resource for anyone tackling complex projects. For nonprofits operating with limited resources, this tool has the potential to bridge gaps, drive efficiency, and unlock innovation. Copilot in Action Let’s take a closer look at how three gaming studios—Mojang, ConcernedApe, and Supergiant Games—are using Copilot to reshape their workflows. These studios, though vastly different in size and style, share one thing in common: they’ve embraced Copilot as a game-changer. Mojang: Building Worlds, Faster As the studio behind Minecraft, Mojang has always been at the forefront of creativity. With Copilot, developers have reported dramatic improvements in prototyping new features. For instance, during a recent sprint to update the game’s terrain generation algorithms, Copilot suggested optimized code snippets that reduced development time by 20%. One Mojang developer shared, “Copilot feels like having a second brain. It anticipates what we need and gives us ideas we hadn’t even considered.” This kind of synergy isn’t just about speed; it’s about empowering teams to focus on innovation while AI handles the heavy lifting. ConcernedApe: The Solo Developer’s Secret Weapon Eric Barone, the solo developer behind Stardew Valley, is a perfect example of how Copilot can empower independent creators. Barone has spoken about how Copilot helped him streamline bug fixes and UI tweaks for an upcoming update. “Copilot doesn’t just save me time—it keeps me in the creative flow,” he mentioned in an interview. For nonprofits with limited manpower, this kind of tool could mean the difference between a stalled project and a breakthrough innovation. Supergiant Games: Enhancing Team Collaboration For a studio like Supergiant Games, known for titles like Hades and Bastion, collaboration is key. Copilot has become an integral part of their team’s workflow, particularly in streamlining narrative scripting and character behaviors. During the development of Hades II, Copilot helped unify coding practices across the team, ensuring smoother integration of new content. One team member noted, “It’s like having a mentor on call. Copilot catches inconsistencies in real time and even suggests ways to make our scripts more efficient.” Lessons for Nonprofits So, what can nonprofits learn from these gaming studios? The answer is simple: Copilot can be your ally in achieving more with less. Whether you’re developing an educational app, managing a database, or creating a gamified donor experience, Copilot can help streamline processes and spark creativity. Consider using Copilot to: Automate repetitive coding tasks, freeing up your team to focus on strategic goals. Prototype digital tools or solutions faster, reducing time-to-impact. Enhance collaboration across teams, especially if your staff includes volunteers with varying skill levels. Future Possibilities: Gaming and Nonprofit Collaborations Looking ahead, the potential of Copilot extends far beyond current applications. Imagine nonprofits collaborating with gaming studios to create immersive fundraising games or educational experiences tailored to their mission. Copilot could make such collaborations more accessible by simplifying development and fostering innovation. For example, a nonprofit focused on environmental conservation could partner with a game studio to build a simulation game that educates players about climate change. Copilot could accelerate coding tasks, allowing the nonprofit and the developers to focus on storytelling and user engagement. Closing Thoughts: The Power of Possibility The influence of Copilot on the game development industry is profoundly transformative, and its potential for nonprofit organizations is equally promising. By utilizing tools such as Copilot, your organization can aspire to greater goals, enhance collaboration, and achieve significant advancements. As we conclude this edition of "Kalen’s Corner", I urge you to consider how technology can amplify your mission. Whether you are inspired by Mojang’s innovation, ConcernedApe’s resourcefulness, or Supergiant Games’ teamwork, be aware that the same tools revolutionizing the gaming industry can empower your nonprofit to create enduring impact. Let us harness the power of artificial intelligence, creativity, and collaboration—together. Until our next discussion, remain inquisitive and continue to explore the potential of what is achievable.What is Azure Notification Hub and How Can Nonprofits Benefit?
Nonprofits are increasingly turning to technology to strengthen connections with their audiences, and Azure Notification Hub is a tool that can significantly improve communication. This powerful platform enables organizations to send push notifications across various devices and platforms, ensuring that important updates, event reminders, or announcements reach the right people at the right time. With Azure Notification Hub, nonprofits can enhance their outreach efforts and engage their communities more effectively. What is Azure Notification Hub? Azure Notification Hub is a service provided by Microsoft Azure that enables you to send push notifications to a wide variety of devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, and more. It simplifies the process of delivering messages to users, regardless of their device type, and offers a unified platform for managing notifications at scale. With Azure Notification Hub, nonprofits can send personalized, targeted notifications to specific groups within their community. Whether it's a donor, a volunteer, or a beneficiary, you can tailor your messages based on their preferences, engagement history, or even geographic location. Key Features of Azure Notification Hub Multi-Platform Support: Azure Notification Hub supports a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops, making it easy to send notifications across various platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Windows. This ensures that your message reaches users, no matter what device they’re using. Scalability: Whether you're a small local nonprofit or a large organization with a global reach, Azure Notification Hub can scale with your needs. It can handle millions of notifications, ensuring your messages get delivered quickly, no matter the audience size. Personalization and Targeting: With the ability to segment your audience based on their behaviors, demographics, or preferences, Azure Notification Hub makes it easier to send targeted notifications. This means you can send specific messages to different groups—such as volunteers, donors, or clients—helping to increase engagement and response rates. Rich Notifications: Azure Notification Hub supports rich notifications, allowing you to include images, buttons, and interactive content, making your messages more engaging and valuable to recipients. This feature helps you provide a better experience for your audience. Cross-Platform Integration: Azure Notification Hub integrates seamlessly with other Azure services, such as Azure App Service and Azure Functions, giving you the flexibility to create advanced notification workflows that align with your nonprofit's processes. Push Notification Analytics: The platform offers powerful analytics, allowing you to track how your notifications are performing. You can view delivery rates, open rates, and other key metrics to better understand the impact of your messages. How Nonprofits Can Benefit from Azure Notification Hub Engage Donors and Volunteers: Nonprofits often rely on timely communications with donors and volunteers. Whether it’s a donation drive, event reminder, or thank-you note, push notifications are a great way to keep supporters engaged and informed. Improve Event Management: If your nonprofit hosts events—whether virtual or in-person—Azure Notification Hub can help you send reminders, updates, and even last-minute changes. For example, you can notify attendees about event schedules, speaker updates, or venue changes. Deliver Critical Information in Real-Time: For nonprofits working with vulnerable populations or managing crisis situations, timely communication is crucial. With Azure Notification Hub, you can send real-time alerts about important updates, safety information, or resource availability. Personalized Outreach: Azure Notification Hub's targeting capabilities make it easy to send personalized notifications to your supporters. For example, you can send customized reminders to donors based on their giving history. Enhance Engagement with Interactive Content: Azure Notification Hub supports rich notifications, allowing you to include images, call-to-action buttons, and other interactive elements. This makes it easier for supporters to engage with your notifications. Getting Started with Azure Notification Hub Azure Notification Hub is easy to set up, but connecting everything else for the notifications to be sent out may be a little complex for nonprofits with limited technical members on their team. In addition to the following tutorial, Microsoft provides extensive documentation and tutorials to guide you through the setup process. For nonprofits, Azure offers free and discounted services, including Azure credits that can be used to explore Azure Notification Hub and other cloud services. This means that nonprofits can start using the platform without a significant upfront investment. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up Azure Notification Hub. Before you dive in, check out the prerequisites below: Summary of Requirements: Microsoft Azure account with an active Azure subscription. Existing mobile or web application that will receive notifications (iOS, Android, or web). Push notification service accounts (APNs for iOS, FCM for Android). Device tokens/registration IDs generated by the app for each device. Basic understanding of push notification systems across iOS, Android, and other platforms. Step 1: Sign in to the Azure Portal Go to the Azure Portal. Sign in to your Microsoft Azure account. Step 2: Create a Notification Hub In the Azure Portal, click on the "Create a resource" button located at the top left corner. In the "Search the Marketplace" box, type "Notification Hub" and press Enter. Click on Notification Hub under the "Featured" section. Click Create to begin the setup process. | Step 3: Configure Your Notification Hub Subscription: Choose the appropriate subscription for your Azure account. Resource Group: Either select an existing resource group or create a new one. Region: Choose the region closest to your users to optimize the speed and efficiency of notifications. Name: Enter a unique name for your Notification Hub (e.g., “NonprofitHub”). Namespace: A namespace is a container for your notification hubs. Choose an existing namespace or create a new one. Pricing Tier: Select the Free or Standard tier, depending on your needs. The Free tier is suitable for basic setups, while the Standard tier supports advanced features like increased throughput and advanced push notification options. Once filled out, click Review + Create. Step 4: Review and Create After reviewing your configuration, click Create to deploy the Notification Hub. Wait a few minutes for the deployment process to complete. Step 5: Set Up the Notification Hub Once the deployment is successful, go to the Notification Hub that was created. In the left-hand menu, click on “Manage” and then “Access policies” to configure access for the notification hub. Here you can access your Shared Access Signature (SAS) key to use for sending notifications. Step 6: Configure Platforms (iOS, Android, etc.) In the Notification Hub, go to "Settings" in the left menu. Select the platform for which you want to send notifications (e.g., Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) for iOS or Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for Android). Follow the platform-specific instructions to configure your notification system: For APNs: You’ll need to upload your Apple Push Certificate. Send push notifications to iOS using Azure Notification Hubs and the iOS SDK | Microsoft Learn For FCM: You’ll need to configure Firebase Cloud Messaging and provide the necessary API key and sender ID. Send push notifications to Android using Azure Notification Hubs and Firebase SDK version 1.0.0-preview1 | Microsoft Learn Step 7: Create a Device or User Group (Optional) If you want to target specific users or devices, go to "Tags" and create tags based on user preferences, location, or engagement history. You can then send notifications to specific tags (e.g., send an event reminder only to people who have previously attended similar events). Step 8: Send a Test Notification Go to the “Test Send” section in your Notification Hub. Choose the platform you want to send a test notification to (e.g., Android, iOS). Enter a message and click Send. Verify that the notification appears on the target device. Step 9: Integrate Notification Hub with Your Application To integrate the notification system with your app or website, you need to write the necessary code in your app using the Azure SDK. For Android: Use the Firebase SDK. For iOS: Use the APNs SDK. Include the appropriate device token or registration ID that will allow the app to receive notifications. Step 10: Monitor and Analyze Notifications Once you start sending notifications, you can monitor their performance under "Metrics" in the Notification Hub dashboard. Review delivery rates, open rates, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge the effectiveness of your notifications. Step 11: (Optional) Set Up Push Notification Automation You can integrate Azure Notification Hub with Power Automate to automate notifications. For example, you can trigger push notifications based on specific events or workflows (e.g., notify a group of volunteers when an event’s status changes). Setting up Azure Notification Hub involves creating a Notification Hub in the Azure Portal, configuring it for your preferred platforms, and integrating it with your application. By following the steps above, your nonprofit will be able to send timely and personalized push notifications to engage your community effectively. Final Thoughts Azure Notification Hub is a powerful tool that can help nonprofits communicate more effectively with their communities. Whether you’re sending event updates, emergency alerts, or donor thank-you messages, it offers a scalable, customizable, and easy-to-use solution. By utilizing Azure Notification Hub, your nonprofit can enhance engagement, improve outreach efforts, and ensure that your important messages get to the right people—at the right time.
