How can AI propel impact to new heights?

Charting new territory in philanthropy, a leading global charitable foundation aimed to adopt generative AI to deepen societal impact and streamline grant-making processes

Amidst an unprecedented surge in assets under management, a leading global charitable foundation was poised to scale its impact on scientific, humanitarian social causes. With this growth came an increased responsibility to manage its resources wisely to fulfil its commitment to accelerating societal impact.

However, as the financial base of the foundation expanded, the foundation’s operations had reached a level of complexity that outpaced traditional grant-making methods. The burgeoning field of generative AI presented an opportunity to not only manage this complexity but to thrive within it.

Driven by its unwavering mission to make a difference, the foundation was eager to embrace the next generation of technology. Not just to keep pace with a growing portfolio, but to reimagine the potential of a charitable foundation in the age of generative AI. The implementation of generative AI stood to redefine the foundation’s grant-making process and transform its capacity to identify and nurture projects with the most significant potential for societal advancement.

Putting generative AI on the strategic agenda

To address this multifaceted challenge, a tailored generative AI strategy was conceived and made ready for implementation to equip the foundation with analytics for better decision-making, automate routine tasks to free up human resources and establish a data-driven framework to maximise philanthropic impact.

A comprehensive analysis of potential use cases was conducted, leading to the identification and prioritisation of initiatives most aligned with the foundation’s mission. 

Key strategic initiatives were identified to leverage generative AI to improve decision-making, streamline operations, foster innovation and accelerate societal impact. A technical track paralleled this effort, focusing on the rapid development and prototyping of AI tools such as a bot to automate mundane tasks, a knowledge bot in HR to support employee inquiries and a data analysis bot designed to extract actionable insights from complex data sets.

Focus was also on the importance of organisational design and change principles to ensure that the structure and culture of the foundation are prepared for the changes brought about by generative AI and that all employees are equipped with the necessary skills to adapt and evolve with the new technologies.

Unleashing the full potential of generative AI

The AI-driven transformation marked a significant shift for the foundation. The integration of generative AI into the foundation’s operational processes will not only provide the foundation with a clearer understanding of the technology’s potential but also deliver immediate business value. This includes measurable improvements in operational efficiency, employee engagement and data-driven decision-making processes, setting a precedent for ongoing transformation and innovation within the organisation.

Looking ahead, the foundation’s pioneering use of AI has set and – as implementation is ongoing – will continue to set a new benchmark in the philanthropic sector. It is a testament to the power of technology when combined with humanitarian concerns.

As the foundation continues to refine its AI capabilities, the ripple effects of its enhanced decision-making processes promise to extend far beyond its own operations, inspiring other organisations to consider how artificial intelligence can amplify their impact on society.