Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform Poland’s economy, with its GDP projected to increase by up to 8% over the next decade. To make this potential beneficial for all Poles, extensive education is essential. Thanks to NGOs’ close contact with diverse social groups, they are uniquely positioned to help prepare Poles to use AI effectively and safely. To that end, organizations themselves should become pioneers in the use of AI, learning about both its capabilities and its limitations and the associated risks.

When starting to work with AI in non-governmental organizations, it’s important to first understand which of their daily challenges will be easier to grapple with by using artificial intelligence. The next step is to focus on integrating AI tools, especially the generative ones, that can best support their mission and goals, such as automating routine tasks or analyzing data, which can significantly increase the efficiency of their operations.

As artificial intelligence becomes more accessible and integrated into an organization’s day-to-day management processes, education and changing attitudes toward the technology become crucial. The effectiveness of our use of AI depends not only on the tools available but, more importantly, on our ability to continuously learn and adapt. With the democratization of AI, the responsibility for harnessing its potential increasingly rests on individual motivation to learn and develop new skills.

NGOs play a significant role in democratizing artificial intelligence, reaching people who might be the last to learn about the generative revolution. That is why it is crucial for anyone starting AI training to first understand the basics of how the technology works and then think about how it can support their daily work. The next step is to raise skill sets in this sphere and inspire others to do the same.

Technology is developing at a break-neck pace, so if we want to effectively implement AI in our teams and our offices, it’s essential to establish the proper work culture in our organizations that will encourage experimentation, searching for areas to use the new tools, continuously testing the technology and learning from one another. The experiences that we gather at the team level – good and bad – can help us streamline our work and gain time.

AI tools need to be implemented in a clever way, keeping in mind that increased productivity isn’t everything. As with any technology, the key is to think critically and ask yourself: “What kind of tool do I need?,” “How will it impact me and my organization?”, but also, “How might it affect our society?” I approach AI with curiosity and am learning its practical applications while also trying to talk as much as possible about what AI is doing to us and how to use the technology consciously.