KC Digital Drive recently hosted its first workshop on generative AI for members of the Community Technology Action Network (CTAN), marking the beginning of a planned series aimed at helping local nonprofit organizations understand and effectively utilize AI technologies in their operations.
The introductory session provided attendees with a foundational understanding of how modern AI systems work, demystifying concepts like neural networks and training processes. Participants learned that while AI models can process vast amounts of information, they have important limitations that organizations need to consider, such as their tendency to occasionally generate incorrect information and their inability to access real-time data beyond their training cutoff dates.
Through hands-on demonstrations, workshop participants explored various practical applications of AI tools, including using large language models for content generation, document summarization, video transcription, language translation, and data analysis. The session also covered emerging technologies in image and audio generation, showcasing how these tools could enhance nonprofits’ communications and outreach efforts.
This workshop represents the first step in KC Digital Drive’s broader initiative to support local nonprofits in leveraging AI technologies. Our next session will focus on organizational policies for AI use, covering topics like copyright and data protection to ensure that organizations can confidently deploy these tools in ways that align with current laws and best practices. Future sessions will dive deeper into specific generative AI tools such as workflow automation.