Leveraging Generative AI for Social Impact Organizations

Barbara Hiltz and Brian E. Perron

Leveraging Generative AI for Social Impact Organizations focuses on the issue of resource scarcity commonly faced by social impact organizations and how generative AI tools can help free up limited staff capacity from routine administrative tasks. Social impact organizations often find themselves overwhelmed by repeatedly responding to common inquiries, data management and documentation needs, and other basic functions that limit their ability to fully devote time to core programming and service delivery. In this course, you’ll learn concrete examples of how AI could improve efficiency in areas like automatically answering frequently asked questions, converting information requests into readable reports, or drafting, designing, and distributing communications materials. Gain insight into key opportunities to leverage AI to expand your organization’s bandwidth for mission-critical activities. The course also explores the limitations and ethical considerations of relying on generative AI versus human judgment and nuanced interactions in social programming.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started

Module 1 covers the foundational knowledge necessary for integrating Generative AI tools into social impact organizations, focusing on understanding AI's importance, effective prompting, and identifying AI's potential applications.

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leveraging Generative AI for Social Impact Organizations with these activities:

Read 'Human Compatible' by Stuart Russell

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Gain a broader perspective on the ethical and societal implications of Generative AI by reading this thought-provoking book, enriching your understanding of the subject.

View Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach,... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book from a library or online retailer.
Allocate dedicated time for reading and reflection.
Take notes and highlight key passages for future reference.
Engage in discussions with others about the ideas presented in the book.

Review Machine Learning Fundamentals

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Strengthen your understanding of machine learning concepts, which are foundational to Generative AI, ensuring a solid base for your learning in this course.

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Go over your previous notes on machine learning algorithms.
Review key concepts such as supervised and unsupervised learning.
Brush up on model evaluation metrics and techniques.

Join a Study Group for Generative AI Discussions

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Engage with fellow learners through a study group, fostering a collaborative environment for sharing insights, asking questions, and deepening your comprehension of Generative AI.

Browse courses on Generative AI

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Connect with other students in your course or online forums.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and meeting format.
Prepare discussion topics and questions in advance.
Actively participate in discussions and contribute your perspectives.

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Attend Generative AI for Social Impact Workshop

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Engage with industry experts and learn practical strategies for incorporating Generative AI into your social impact organization, maximizing its potential for good.

Browse courses on Generative AI

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Research and identify relevant workshops in your area.
Register for the workshop and prepare any necessary materials.
Attend the workshop actively, taking notes and engaging in discussions.
Connect with other attendees and exchange knowledge.
Follow up after the workshop by implementing what you learned.

Practice Prompt Engineering

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Refine your ability to generate effective prompts for Generative AI models, ensuring optimal results.

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Identify the desired output and purpose of your prompt.
Craft a specific and clear prompt, avoiding ambiguity.
Use relevant keywords and examples to guide the AI.
Experiment with different prompt variations to optimize results.

Develop an AI-Powered Response System

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Apply your understanding of Generative AI to create a functional response system that automates communication tasks, enhancing efficiency within your organization.

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Define the scope and objectives of your response system.
Gather and organize relevant data to train the AI model.
Develop an interface for user interaction with the system.
Test and refine the system to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
Deploy and monitor the system to evaluate its impact on your organization.

Develop a Case Study on AI Impact in Social Impact Organizations

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Demonstrate your understanding of the real-world applications of Generative AI by conducting a case study, highlighting its impact on a specific social impact organization.

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Identify a social impact organization that has successfully implemented Generative AI.
Conduct research and interviews to gather data on the organization's experience.
Analyze the data to identify the benefits and challenges of using Generative AI.
Write a comprehensive case study report outlining your findings.
Present your case study to the class or publish it online.