Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniably transforming various aspects of our economy and daily experiences. However, many impact leaders still hesitate to fully integrate AI into their routine operations. Recognizing this gap, NationSwell organized a virtual roundtable on February 3, where peer leaders gathered to discuss practical, immediate applications of AI for impact teams. This session focused on leveraging generative and increasingly agentic AI to enhance workflow efficiency in areas such as reporting, communications, grantee engagement, and operations.
Through discussions ranging from simple daily use cases to advanced mission delivery opportunities, participants uncovered a wealth of actionable insights for incorporating AI into teams and organizations. Below is a selection of these insights.
Key Takeaways:
Prioritize user-centered design in AI adoption from the outset. The success of AI tools significantly increases when they are developed with a comprehensive understanding of end users, integrating diverse perspectives and usability testing. Grounding AI in user needs helps lower failure rates and boosts adoption, particularly as many digital transformation efforts encounter challenges.
Begin with low-risk, high-reward AI use cases to generate momentum. Impact teams are already realizing benefits from AI applications such as summarization, synthesis, and reporting. These straightforward uses save time, require minimal technical expertise, and help build team confidence before transitioning to more complex AI workflows.
Utilize AI to enhance human judgment rather than replace it. The most effective applications of AI serve as thought partners that expedite analysis and unveil insights while leaving critical thinking and strategy development to humans. It remains vital to review AI outputs, verify sources, and apply human judgment responsibly.
Integrate AI into products and systems to minimize friction at scale. By embedding AI directly into platforms like grantmaking and employee engagement systems, organizations can automate administrative tasks, identify patterns, and suggest next steps, enabling impact leaders to devote more time to critical mission-related activities.
Consider AI as a capacity multiplier in resource-constrained environments. As impact teams are increasingly expected to accomplish more with fewer resources, AI becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. Thoughtful implementation can enhance organizational capacity, expedite access to funding and services, and ultimately lead to greater impact.
Implement advanced AI use cases to derive insights for decision-making. AI-powered analysis of geospatial and temporal data can empower organizations to anticipate risks, target interventions, and allocate resources more effectively. AI can assist in modeling climate impacts, forecasting service demands, and tailoring workforce strategies to better understand community needs and provide responsive support.
Unlock new capabilities through off-the-shelf tools. Significant advancements do not require building a comprehensive AI solution from scratch. Leveraging existing low- or no-cost AI tools effectively, while safeguarding sensitive data and adhering to organizational policies, can lead to substantial increases in productivity and impact. Consider utilizing features like voice-to-text for brainstorming, deep research modes for insights, and experimenting with tools like Claude for writing assistance.
