How AI Is Driving Inclusivity & Productivity at Special Olympics

From its potential in donor engagement and fundraising to enhancing program effectiveness, AI has shown that it can amplify the impact of nonprofits. How can we peel back the layers of AI's transformative potential in the nonprofit sector to go beyond the hype to see what’s really working and how it can help us in the trenches?

In this conversation, Julia Campbell interviews Justin L. Spelhaug, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, and Nathaniel Cook, Chief Information Technology Officer of Special Olympics International. They discuss the transformative potential of AI in the nonprofit sector, focusing on inclusivity and productivity. 

Takeaways

• Involving the community in the development and implementation of AI tools is crucial for ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness.
• Ethical considerations, such as fairness and bias, are important when deploying AI in the nonprofit sector.
• AI tools can significantly improve productivity and efficiency, allowing nonprofit staff to focus on impactful work.
• Measuring the success and outcomes of using AI tools can be done through surveys, time savings estimation, and tracking productivity gains.
• Nonprofits can start incorporating AI by using free resources like Microsoft Co-Pilot and taking advantage of training programs and learning pathways.

About Nathan Cook, CIO of the Special Olympics International

Nathaniel Cook is the Chief Information and Technology Officer of Special Olympics, a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. He leads the strategic vision, direction, and execution of the organization’s information and technology initiatives across more than 220 countries and territories. He develops, integrates, and optimizes the Special Olympics information systems and technology platforms, ensuring their alignment with the organization’s goals, values, and standards. He also fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration within the Special Olympics network, leveraging technology to enhance the quality and impact of the programs and services offered to more than six million athletes and their families.

About Justin Spelhaug, Vice President & Global Head – Tech for Social Impact

As the leader for the Tech for Social Impact in Microsoft, Justin brings together 25 years of experience spanning commercial and social businesses.  Prior to his current role, Justin served as the Chief Marketing & Operations Officer for Microsoft Asia Pacific spending over 7 years of his career working across developed and emerging Asian markets.  Justin also helped to launch the Unlimited Potential organization within Microsoft, with a focus on developing new and more affordable computing solutions to close the digital divide for lower income societies globally.

Resources:

• www.SpecialOlympics.org
• https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/career-essentials-in-generative-ai-by-microsoft-and-linkedin
• Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn

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