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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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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on the use of generative AI tools to help social impact organizations become more efficient and effective
Taught by Barbara Hiltz and Brian E. Perron, who are well-known experts in the field of social impact
Examines the ethical considerations and responsible use of Generative AI, which is highly relevant in the field of social impact
Covers a wide range of topics, including content generation, creation, and management
Designed for learners with a background in social impact or a related field

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Reviews summary

Ai for social impact: practical & ethical application

According to students, this course provides a practical and highly relevant introduction to leveraging generative AI for social impact. Learners appreciate its focus on freeing up staff capacity and applying AI to routine administrative tasks. The ethical considerations are well-covered, making it a valuable resource for organizations seeking to expand bandwidth for mission-critical activities. Some find the prompting guide particularly useful, though it serves primarily as an overview rather than a deep technical dive, which might require additional exploration.
Builds understanding from basics to workflow adaptation.
"The course structure from understanding AI to integrating it into workflows felt very logical and helpful."
"Module 3 on integrating AI into existing organizational workflows was very practical for my team."
"It provides a solid foundation, showing how to start using AI tools effectively."
Clear explanations and useful prompting strategies.
"The lecture videos and guided activities made complex concepts easy to grasp."
"The detailed prompting guide in Module 2 is a standout resource I use daily."
"I found the content well-organized and the examples truly concrete."
Thorough exploration of responsible AI integration.
"I really valued the dedicated module on ethical considerations and responsible AI use, it's crucial for our sector."
"The discussions on the limitations of AI versus human judgment were very insightful."
"It made me think critically about the implications of deploying AI in sensitive areas."
Directly addresses needs of social impact organizations.
"This course directly addresses how I can use AI to free up staff time for core programming."
"I found the examples for answering FAQs and drafting communications incredibly relevant to my work."
"It’s not just theory; it shows how to apply AI to real-world challenges faced by social impact organizations."
Provides broad understanding, less on technical implementation.
"I gained a good overview, but felt it was more conceptual than a deep technical 'how-to' guide."
"For those with advanced AI knowledge, some parts might feel a bit basic."
"It sets the stage well, but I'll need to seek additional resources for hands-on deployment details."

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
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.
Show steps
  • 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
Strengthen your understanding of machine learning concepts, which are foundational to Generative AI, ensuring a solid base for your learning in this course.
Browse courses on Machine Learning
Show steps
  • 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
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
Show steps
  • 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.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Attend Generative AI for Social Impact Workshop
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
Show steps
  • 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
Refine your ability to generate effective prompts for Generative AI models, ensuring optimal results.
Browse courses on Prompt Engineering
Show steps
  • 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
Apply your understanding of Generative AI to create a functional response system that automates communication tasks, enhancing efficiency within your organization.
Browse courses on Content Generation
Show steps
  • 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
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.
Browse courses on Case study
Show steps
  • 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.

Career center

Learners who complete Leveraging Generative AI for Social Impact Organizations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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