A Guide to Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Nonprofits Luis Fretes - ElevationWeb.org
go to original May 18, 2023

Nonprofits are well-known for being able to do a great deal with minimal resources. With this in mind, the incorporation of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Bing Chat into their toolbox seems like a natural next step.

Research regarding the impact of AI is still in its infancy, but early studies show that far from replacing human workers, LLMs like ChatGPT and Bing Chat empower workers.

Why You Shouldn't Fear AI: Insights from Early Research

In a recent study, 444 college-educated mid-level professionals from various occupations, such as marketers, grant writers, consultants, data analysts, human resource professionals, and managers, were asked to complete tasks. Half of them were randomly exposed to ChatGPT during the process.

Workers exposed to ChatGPT completed tasks 37% faster, and the resulting text quality was significantly higher. This improvement seems to stem from workers spending less time on drafting and more time on editing and polishing their work.

Without ChatGPT access, people dedicated half their time to creating rough drafts, whereas those with access spent over half their time editing. Furthermore, ChatGPT promoted egalitarianism by compressing the quality and time spent on tasks, reducing the gap between the most efficient and skilled writers and the rest. This decrease in inequality resulted from lower-scoring participants benefiting more from ChatGPT access.

Following each task, participants were asked about their enjoyment and perceived skill level. In the study, ChatGPT access notably boosted job satisfaction and workers' sense of self-sufficiency. It also fueled optimism towards LLMs and AI technology in general, with workers becoming more enthusiastic and increasingly expecting AI to positively impact the world and their lives.

In a nutshell, embracing AIs like ChatGPT and Bing Chat can revolutionize productivity and improve job satisfaction in nonprofits. By applying basic prompt engineering tips, organizations can transform their ideas into engaging content more efficiently. As AI keeps advancing, its value in the nonprofit world will only grow.

Tips for Nonprofits Considering Using AI:

• Start small. Don't try to implement AI across your entire organization all at once. Start with a small project that you think can benefit from AI. This will help you to learn about the technology and identify the challenges and opportunities it presents.


• Get buy-in from your staff. AI can be a disruptive technology, so it is important to get buy-in from your staff before you implement it. Explain to them the benefits of AI and how it will help them to do their jobs better.


• Be patient. AI is a complex technology, and it takes time to learn how to use it effectively. Don't expect to see results overnight.


• Be open to feedback. As you implement AI, be open to feedback from your staff and volunteers. This will help you to improve the way you use AI and make it more effective.

AI is a powerful tool that can be used to improve the work of nonprofits. By following these tips, you can ensure that you are using AI in a way that is beneficial to your organization and its mission.

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Related: The Ethics and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in the Nonprofit Sector (NonprofitAF.com)