PUTT for PEPY! Lessons Learned from our First Golf Tournament
March 26, 2023
The Importance Of Long-term Volunteers
July 31, 2023
When ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms launched, our team was excited, nervous, and unsure of the implications that AI would have on our services and work.
Despite our concerns, we had to face facts – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept, but today’s reality. We know that many corporate companies and organizations are already embracing AI and we quickly realized that it could be an asset to our organization. For non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Cambodia, AI can enhance our work, especially since we, like most NGOs, work on limited resources and manpower.
However, we also quickly realized that AI integration is not an easy process, and it requires a significant shift in the way that we operate. Over the last few months, we have employed several strategies to successfully utilize AI as an asset and tool for our team. In this blog post, we will explore how NGOs can get ready for the takeover of AI in Cambodia, and how to make the most of these technologies!
So, what is AI?
To make the most of AI, you first need to understand what AI is. AI is a form of intelligence that comes from machines as opposed to human beings. AI can be used for data processing, analysis, and decision-making. Watch this video on What is AI to learn more.
Benefits of AI Integration for NGOs
AI is just one of the many technologies that can help nonprofits increase their efficiency and impact.
With AI, nonprofits can:
- automate manual processes and streamline decision-making.
- quickly analyze data, allowing them to gain insights and make informed decisions.
- increase their efficiency by automating routine tasks, freeing up time for mission-critical work.
- Collaborate more effectively, as AI-powered platforms enable teams to work together in real-time.
- improve outreach by analyzing audience behaviors and personalizing communication to better engage with those they seek to help.
Overall, AI integration empowers NGOs by providing them with newer and faster ways to achieve their goals.
Understanding How NGOs in Cambodia Face Bigger Technological Challenges
It is important for us to highlight that AI integration is not without its challenges. The biggest issue is the cost of some AI integrations, which can be prohibitive for NGOs operating on limited budgets. Also, there is a fear of job loss as AI takes over mundane tasks, meaning that there is a significant need for reskilling and upskilling staff. Further, NGOs need to be wary of discrimination and bias in AI, as well as misinformation.
Cambodian organizations often face numerous challenges when it comes to technology. In rural communities, limited access to electricity and the internet leads to communities struggling to keep up with face-paced technological advancements. Furthermore, lack of digital literacy and language barriers can present significant obstacles to utilizing AI.
Nonetheless, we fell it is very important for nonprofits in Cambodia to do what they can to increase access to technology for everyone, no matter what their background, to ensure that no community members are left behind.
How is PEPY Making Use of AI?
Although we cannot claim to be experts in AI, since the launch of ChatGPT, our team has made significant steps in integrating AI into our daily tasks and services. First, several of our program and administrative team members joined workshops focused on AI integration and watched hours of YouTube seminars (see links at the end of this post) to see AI in action. Within our departments, we brainstormed how AI should be applied as a new tool that we can leverage.
So far, we have implemented the following:
Using AI As Our Communications Intern
We often provide written documents and community stories to our AI program to help us come up with fun headlines or summarize written works. We even use AI to help us with social media posts, blog writing, and content planning. We take the AI’s responses as a first draft and adapt it to meet our needs and ensure the information is accurate. This has saved us hours of work!
We Use AI in Fundraising to Streamline Our Grant Writing Process
We often provide written documents and community stories to our AI program to help us come up with fun headlines or summarize written works. We even use AI to help us with social media posts, blog writing, and content planning. We take the AI’s responses as a first draft and adapt it to meet our needs and ensure the information is accurate. This has saved us hours of work!
Our Team Integrated AI Learning Into Our Course Curriculums
We added AI lessons and case studies into our Learning Center classes so that when youth leave our center, that are better positioned to secure skilled jobs that meet the demands of today’s work force.
How Nonprofits in Cambodia Can Prepare for the Future
NGOs in Cambodia can prepare for AI integration by investing in specialized AI training for their staff, partnering with AI companies that offer affordable solutions, familiarizing themselves with AI’s limitations, and constantly evaluating the usefulness of integrating AI.
There is a need for leaders to manage the organizational culture shift that AI integration requires. This includes encouraging a growth mindset and creating a space for continuous learning and experimentation.
We know that change is scary, but necessary for us to continue to meet the needs of our community. We hope that by reading this post, we have helped put some of your concerns at ease and have helped demonstrate that AI integration actually presents an opportunity for nonprofits. We believe the future of successful and innovative nonprofits in Cambodia will rest on their ability to embrace AI as a tool to amplify their mission!
Here are some helpful links that helped us get started on our AI integration journey:
