Can AI really save charities time and money without putting sensitive info at risk? According to these experts, the answer is yes. Photos: Thomas Lucraft.
Working in the not-for-profit sector means learning how to do a whole lot with very little. When you’re balancing a limited budget with minimal staff and demand that continues to rise, tools that promise to make life easier are bound to pique your curiosity.
But charities operate very differently to commercial businesses. Opportunities, challenges and measures of success are also unique to each organisation; what works for one simply won’t work for all.
So what does the true value of AI look like for not-for-profits, and how can it be unlocked securely?
OPC’s most recent Roundtable event brought local charities together to teach just that.
OPC has been at the forefront of secure technology in the ACT since the 1980s. The team works with all sorts of organisations, but not-for-profits have a special place in their heart.
Putting that passion into practice, OPC invited Canberra charities to come out and map their use of AI, learn how to keep sensitive data secure, and explore practical use cases for Microsoft Copilot.
The session focused on tailored AI adoption in areas like fundraising, reporting and operational efficiency.
“We spoke about where Copilot fits into the modern workplace, how it can support staff across different roles, and the importance of having the right foundations in place before expecting great results from AI,” OPC strategic solutions manager Kate Priest says.
“We also explored some real-world examples of how organisations are already using Copilot to save time, reduce administrative burden and give staff more capacity to focus on delivering services to their communities.
“As always, security was at the forefront of every discussion.”
OPC presented alongside Microsoft and cloud marketplace partner Pax8, delivering insights and practical guidance on how NFPs can use Copilot to improve productivity and streamline operations, AI adoption, and highlighted governance.
Most charities collect basic information on their clients, partners, staff and supporters. This data includes personally identifiable information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, or even signatures, so protecting it is crucial.
“From Pax8’s perspective, education remains paramount. While organisations are excited by the potential of AI, many are still trying to understand how to ensure it delivers real value,” channel account manager Alex Costa-Peretti says.
“Organisations that invest in continuous learning will be best positioned to adopt AI responsibly and maximise the impact delivered to their communities.”
Moving from initial curiosity to meaningful adoption of AI is no small feat. As Kate explains, effective use isn’t just about the technology itself. It’s also about security, governance, data quality and organisational readiness.
“Copilot isn’t a magic solution you simply switch on and instantly see value from,” she says.
“Users seeing the best results are the ones who understand where their information lives, who has access to it and how their teams actually work day to day.
“I think every organisation should ask, ‘How confident are we about where our data currently resides and who has access to it?’ The answer to that question often tells us more about AI readiness than any technology discussion ever could.”
For more information, visit OPC.
