When Linda Braddy, CEO at the North Texas Region of the American Red Cross, heard about the Dallas Regional Chamber’s AI Office Hours—where people can talk to human experts about using and implementing AI at work—her interest was piqued. An early adopter, Braddy sees AI’s biggest value in the efficiency it can create.
Linda Braddy
“I use it to summarize documents like monthly performance reviews,” she says.
For example, last year, using knowledge-based AI, which answers questions using only the data that Braddy has uploaded, she created a ‘four box’ of her achievements. Then she fed those documents into an AI tool and asked for a summary of her work, which she used for her year-end evaluation. The AI reduced a process that had taken three hours or more to minutes. “I still edit, of course, so it sounds like me, but I’m saving SO much time.”
She also started learning how to build her own tool, which is when she happened to see an email from the DRC, talking about its new service: AI Office Hours. It’s dedicated time for members and nonmembers alike to get one-on-one help with an AI tool or clarify something they heard.
“And I thought, this is perfect,” says Braddy. “I’ve taken some online courses, but being able to ask questions to a person who answers me right away? This is exactly what I need.”
Braddy says she was impressed with the expertise of her AI Office hours consultant, and with the transparency in telling her if he didn’t know something.
Making AI work for everyone
The DRC’s AI Office Hours started quietly after Convergence AI in May and ramped up during the summer. To date, nine consultants have de-mystified AI one hour at a time, during forty sessions.
Both consultants who want to join as experts, and those who need help, can sign up and establish a date to talk on the website. The DRC knows that when technology evolves this quickly, the danger of leaving people behind is greater. It also knows that learning and applying a new skill takes repeated exposure, which is why AI Office Hours isn’t a one-time service. Braddy was thrilled to learn anyone on her team can access it.
AI lessons from the Red Cross
Armed with an AI consultant, Braddy has steadily been introducing the technology across the organization and believes other nonprofits could also benefit. In addition to performance reviews, she points to two areas where AI has quickly proven its value:
- Professional communications: AI has replaced Grammarly (which was more expensive) to ensure emails are polished and professional, saving both time and money.
- Translation of emotion to language: verbal interaction with AI, like using voice prompts, is especially intuitive and effective when trying to create a coherent message.
She’s implementing the ‘four box’ review process with her team members this year, as they learn other ways AI can build efficiencies. Braddy believes they’re just getting started, but thanks to the DRC’s new service, she feels like she’s already one step ahead.
The ‘four box’ review process.
“It would be impossible for someone in my role to keep up with how fast AI is evolving. That’s why this program (AI Office Hours) is so important, you’re not doing it alone. All I had to do was carve out some time for the call. You can’t beat that return on investment.”
Sponsored by the Dallas Regional Chamber. Written by Nicole Ward, data journalist for the Dallas Regional Chamber.
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