Recognizing a growing demand for AI-driven capacity building in the social sector, DataKind launched Learning Circles to equip social impact leaders with practical tools and knowledge. This collaborative effort fosters peer-to-peer community learning, enabling social impact organizations to tailor data strategies to their unique needs. By pairing participants with seasoned data experts, DataKind Learning Circles accelerate data maturity and drive meaningful outcomes. We’re excited to share insights from our inaugural cohorts!
DataKind has supported social impact organizations (SIOs) in tackling the world’s toughest challenges with data science and AI for more than a decade. In addition to partnering with DataKind on innovative data solutions, the social sector has benefited from advisory discussions on strategic data equity, infrastructure, culture change, staffing, emerging technology, and more.
SIO professionals want trusted technical support in developing internal capacity building plans, as well as insights from their peers about what others are doing in the space. There’s pressure on SIOs to rapidly adopt emerging technology, like generative AI (GenAI), in a relevant way that doesn’t cause harm to the communities they serve. This leads SIOs to look for safe spaces to navigate the resource-saturated ecosystem.
With that in mind, DataKind designed Learning Circles to support SIOs through a peer community knowledge sharing program that also allows them to connect with data experts from DataKind’s community. The first cohort was focused on discussing challenges and opportunities of equitable and accountable GenAI at their organizations.
The Community Cohorts
Over 145 organizations applied for this virtual program exceeding demand expectations. The selected SIO data leaders, representing 23 organizations:
- Engaged in weekly facilitated discussions
- Accessed curated learning materials
- Matched with a volunteer GenAI expert for 1-1 consultation
- Contributed to co-creation of public resources (like the DataKind Playbook, more coming soon!) to benefit their organizations and the sector
Once the program concluded, the SIO data leaders were better positioned to go back to their organization having more of an understanding of the value of data maturity and strategy needed to internally consider what equitable and accountable GenAI could look like at their organizations. Below are additional learnings and impact noted by our participants.
Impact + Insights
One hundred percent of surveyed leaders reported that participating had a positive impact on their organization and that they’re very likely to recommend this program to a friend or colleague.
By the end of the pilot, we:
- Equipped SIO professionals with the knowledge and skills to start using equitable and accountable GenAI at their organizations
- Created a reusable curriculum for using GenAI in the social sector rated as above average in its benefit to participants
- Received a 96% participant retention rate across 4 weeks
- Piloted facilitation and workshop materials for the new, upcoming GenAI section of the DataKind Playbook to support the sector at scale
- Built a community of social impact professionals that will continue their peer sharing beyond the program
“The program has significantly impacted our organization, marking a milestone in our journey towards adopting GenAI. It has broadened our understanding of the technology’s potential and equipped us with the tools necessary for effective planning. Networking with similar organizations has fostered a collaborative environment to research diverse GenAI applications. Since the program’s conclusion, we have been collaborating with another organization to explore how a GenAI project can meet both our individual and collective goals, ultimately benefiting the communities we serve. Additionally, iCouldBe has received invaluable one-on-one volunteer support from Deborshi, whose expertise has simplified complex AI concepts and helped us plan practical next steps.” ~Michelle Derosier, Associate Executive Director, iCouldBe
Want to host a Learning Circle?
If you’d like to partner with us to run a Learning Circle, reach out at community@datakind.org.
This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Header image courtesy of iStock/Aleksei Morozov.
Join the DataKind movement.
- Interested in supporting our work? Donate here.
- Interested in sponsoring a project? Partner with us.
- Interested in volunteering with DataKind? Look no further.
- Interested in working at DataKind? We’re hiring!
- Interested in submitting a project? Go for it!
Quick Links
