What is ChatGPT and how does it work?
The term ChatGPT stands for “Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer”. In simple terms, it is an artificial intelligence (AI) that is specially designed to conduct natural and human-like dialogs. The way ChatGPT works is based on a powerful AI model that has been trained with an enormous amount of text data. This training enables ChatGPT to understand a wide range of information and respond appropriately to questions or requests. I have described“What is ChatGPT” in great detail in this special post.
Why is ChatGPT relevant for NGOs?
In NGO work, ChatGPT offers a wide range of applications that can help employees to organize their work more efficiently and improve interaction with supporters. From automating customer inquiries and quickly answering frequently asked questions to generating inspiring content for social media posts and newsletters, ChatGPT can help optimize communication and make important information quickly accessible. Artificial intelligence can also provide valuable support in research and information procurement for campaigns and projects. By integrating ChatGPT into NGO work, employees can use their resources more effectively and focus on strategic tasks to successfully achieve the organization’s goals. I will show you more about the use of ChatGPT in NGOs and non-profit organizations in the following article.
Advantages of ChatGPT for NGOs and non-profit organizations
Increased efficiency in customer service and communication with supporters and those seeking help
The use of ChatGPT can significantly increase the efficiency of customer service and communication with supporters and those seeking help. AI-based chatbots or chatbots with Generative AI are able to provide automated responses to customer inquiries. They use the organization’s existing sources of knowledge and can respond in natural language to requests from supporters or those seeking help. With ChatGPT, NGOs can be available to their supporters and those seeking help around the clock and ensure a prompt response to requests without manually burdening resources. Customer service is significantly relieved by the use of AI technologies such as ChatGPT and employees have more time for valuable, personal and individual conversations with their target groups.
Save time when answering inquiries and frequently asked questions
ChatGPT saves a considerable amount of time when answering inquiries and frequently asked questions. Instead of formulating manual answers, artificial intelligence can provide the required information quickly and precisely. NGO employees can therefore concentrate on more complex tasks while ChatGPT automatically processes routine requests. This time saving leads to improved productivity and allows employees to focus more on the strategic development of the organization. It is also possible for employees to create the responses together with ChatGPT. In this case, ChatGPT makes suggestions for an answer and the employees can decide for themselves whether they want to accept or adapt these suggestions.
Options for personalization and adaptation to individual needs
One of the great strengths of ChatGPT lies in its ability to be personalized and adapted to individual needs. Artificial intelligence can respond to the specific requests and preferences of supporters and those seeking help and provide customized answers. The dialogues sound very natural and are specially tailored to the tonality of the different users chatting with the AI. This creates an individual and unique user experience that strengthens the target group’s commitment and loyalty to the NGO. With ChatGPT, NGOs can convey their messages in a targeted manner, which can lead to a long-term and sustainable relationship.
Use cases of ChatGPT for NGOs
Automation of customer inquiries and chat support
Many inquiries from supporters, people seeking help or other stakeholders can be answered with the help of an automated chatbot. Chatbots that use Generative AI – i.e. the technology from ChatGPT – sound very natural and can answer a wide range of user queries. The chatbots use existing knowledge from the website or other sources of information and combine this with specific specifications from the NGOs (e.g. specifications on tonality). More about Generative AI Chatbots in one of my last posts. And you can read about what such a chatbot looks like in practice using Helvetia Switzerland as an example.
Generating informative and inspiring texts for social media posts and newsletters
Many NGOs and non-profit organizations lack well-trained employees in marketing and social media. Most organizations have very few human resources in the areas of communication and marketing. ChatGPT can now optimally supplement these few employee resources. For example, ChatGPT can be used to create newsletter texts, formulate social media posts or write blog posts. It should be noted that ChatGPT does not perform these tasks completely independently, but still requires human cooperation. ChatGPT usually only provides inspiration or initial ideas, with the employees then putting the finishing touches to them. In this article I will show you how to use ChatGPT for blog texts.
Assistance with research and information procurement for campaigns and projects
Campaigns or projects based on well-researched information are a large part of the work in NGOs. This research work usually requires a lot of time and resources. ChatGPT can support employees here, for example by carrying out initial research “itself”. Employees can then take the results of ChatGPT as a basis and build on them.
Challenges and concerns when using ChatGPT
Data protection and security aspects when using AI technologies
Of course, when using ChatGPT in the field of NGOs and non-profit organizations, there are also relevant aspects that need to be considered with regard to data protection and security. In general, all information that employees send to the ChatGPT chatbot is processed by the AI model and can also be used for further AI training purposes. It is therefore advisable not to exchange any sensitive or confidential data with the ChatGPT chatbot. You can also find out more about data protection and ChatGPT in one of my last posts.
Incorrect answers from ChatGPT
ChatGPT is based on a wealth of knowledge from the Internet. Not all information is always correct. It is therefore possible that ChatGPT is using an incorrect knowledge source and is therefore also producing an incorrect response. It is therefore important to critically scrutinize all ChatGPT results. If you create your own chatbot based on Generative AI, you have control over the accuracy of the content. So if you have “good” sources of knowledge, the number of incorrect answers will be significantly lower.
Need for appropriate training and preparation of employees for the use of ChatGPT
To ensure that ChatGPT or AI is used correctly without violating ethical principles or legal rules, your employees need training. It is important that employees understand the opportunities and limitations of the tool and can then use it correctly in appropriate situations.
How NGOs can use ChatGPT effectively
Choosing the right ChatGPT model and provider
If you want to use ChatGPT or AI or Generative AI in general, you should first consider which provider you want to use. You can use the general chatbot ChatGPT or you can use other (open source) solutions. When deciding on the right provider and model, issues relating to data protection and the customizability of the model usually play an important role.
Integration of ChatGPT into existing communication channels and workflows
Once you have found the right provider, you need to integrate ChatGPT into your workflows and communication channels. It is advisable for most organizations to proceed step by step. It’s best to start with a very simple use case, such as a simple FAQ chatbot or pre-selecting emails with the help of ChatGPT, and then venture into more complex use cases.
Training of employees and definition of clear guidelines for the use of ChatGPT
As already mentioned, the use of AI and ChatGPT requires targeted training for employees. These workshops can vary depending on the use case, target groups and objectives. I therefore offer individual and personal ChatGPT workshops.
Conclusion: ChatGPT for NGOs – what you need to take with you
Experiments such as Helvetia Switzerland’s show that the technologies surrounding ChatGPT are already very mature and powerful. They have the potential to significantly reduce the workload of employees in NGOs and non-profit organizations. The use of ChatGPT is particularly recommended in marketing, communication and customer service. Exact details on use cases depend on the company and can be discussed in a workshop. It is important that you as an NGO or other non-profit organization do not lose touch with the new possibilities.
Get started with ChatGPT
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